How's this sucker fit you for size?
This is Octopus, a private yacht owned by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen. It's the world's 6th largest yacht ... and it could be heading to Weipa.
Sorry, that last bit is a total lie.
Octopus won't be coming anywhere near this place - the cost of diesel would send a billionaire broke. You will, however, see some big ships down at the ship loader. But you probably already knew that. These ships won't have cinemas nor will they have hull compartments for jet skis and other fun crap. They just have big mongrel spaces for red dirt.
Of course, if Desley Boyle, the Qld Government's Minister for Tourism, has any say in the matter we may very well see the likes of Octopus anchored off Weipa's shoreline one fine day.
The first action plan for Far North Queensland's marine services sector was launched in Cairns yesterday and it seeks to build long-term growth in the marine industry.
Activities under the plan include working with the Superyacht Group - Great Barrier Reef to grow the superyacht charter and service sector and encourage investment in a superyacht manufacturing facility in the region. It also seeks to capture more refit and maintenance work in commercial and defence markets.
Ms Boyle said that "one of the first actions will be a comprehensive study of the current state of the industry with a view to development not only ... in Cairns but in other key areas such as Weipa, Cooktown and the Torres Strait where we can take advantage of existing infrastructure."
Makes the idea of a marina between Evans Landing and the Vet building seem almost plausible.
Hands up who wants to buy the lease to a 125 metre berth to moor the Octopus when it arrives?!
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