Pirate ship to be replaced

Three teens have been charged with burning the Pirate Ship at Splash Planet to the ground. The attraction will be replaced by next summer.

Splash Planet's pirate ship destroyed by fire this month will be replaced.

The 20 metre long timber ship, which was a major attraction at the Hastings theme park was set alight by three teenagers on April 5. The trio have been charged and were before the court.

Splash Planet Manager, Peran Hutchings, said the hunt was on for a replacement play feature that would be as popular as the old ship had been.

Council's insurer has advised that an exact replacement of the pirate ship is not required, leaving the options for a replacement play or visual element wide open.

The new attraction would be ready in time for the 2016 summer season.

The ship was insured for $354,000.

It was built in 1977, 10 years after the opening of Fantasyland, which became Splash Planet.