Mystery Cat Kaz II for Sale

by Andrew Wight, Brisbane Times/Sail-World on 3 Sep 2008 A movie could be made about the fate of the 'ghost ship' the Kaz II, which has been put on the market.

The Kaz II, dubbed the Mary Celeste of the Whitsundays and the subject of one of Australia's greatest maritime mysteries, has been listed by a Townsville broker for $225,000.

On April 15, 2007, Perth men Des Batten, 56, Peter Tunstead, 69, and Jim Tunstead, 63, went missing from their new yacht.

The boat had been found drifting 60 nautical miles off Townsville, its engine still running but with no sign of the crew - the only items missing from the boat were three pairs of sunglasses and two hats.

Interested buyers inspecting the boat online can see the deck where investigators found T-shirts and towels left neatly folded on the deck; and the cabin where laptops, mobile phones, wallets, watches, cameras and a Sunday paper were found.

Last month, the Queensland coroner ruled the men had died in a freak accident and had not fallen victim to foul play.

Since the 10.6 metre catamaran was listed for sale on Wednesday, agent Ron Knott has had two offers and is chasing a French production company believed to be interested in making a movie about the mystery.

Mr Knott told brisbanetimes.com.au buyers had not been turned off by the mystery surrounding the yacht.

'Its not like having people deceased on the boat. This wouldn't be the first time that a bidding war has started on a boat either.'

And what about superstition influencing the purchase?

'Anyone who has anything to do with the sea is superstitious, but I think as modern people we can get past it.'