The ship formerly owned by fraud Michael Swann is the property of the Crown and attempts are being made to sell it.
Marie Grills, of the Crown Law office, said negotiations were under way but yesterday's trip was unconnected with the sale process.
"Apparently, boats that just sit there deteriorate, so it's just pretty standard . . . like you drive your car periodically rather than leave it sitting in the garage."
The 46-year-old, 564-tonne ship has been tied up in the basin since it was seized in October 2006.
A harbour watcher told the Otago Daily Times last night there had been some light-hearted talk that the ship was "doing a runner".
Swann was jailed in March for nine years and six months for defrauding the Otago District Health Board of $16.9 million.
