The Rena lifeboat fundraising auction went live on Trade Me today offering the chance to buy one of the two lifeboats from the container ship Rena wrecked on Astrolabe Reef.

The owners have given the lifeboat to the local branch of the child Cancer Foundation for use as a fund raiser to support the foundation's work with the families of children diagnosed with cancer.

Moss Carlin and Bridge Marina manager Tony Arnold.

'The donation of this lifeboat to the Child Cancer Foundation Tauranga is a wonderful silver lining to come from the Rena disaster, which has affected the wider Bay of Plenty,” says the foundation's fundraising and business development manager for the wider Bay of Plenty, Delwynne Hahunga.

The auction is the idea of Port of Tauranga security worker Moss Carlin, whose child was diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago.

'Through devious and cheeky means I got hold of people who care, who matter, and put the idea in their heads - because they were scratching their heads and didn't know what to do with it,” says Moss.

The salvors approached the owners, who kindly agreed to the auction proposal, says Moss.

The solid fibreglass lifeboat comes with all the original fixtures and fittings, including the emergency rations. It is powered by a three cylinder diesel and ‘chugs along' at about five knots.

'It's a really sound sort of a craft,” says Moss.

'The novelty factor's there, you could convert it. You could certainly do something with it if you had the inclination. I'm looking for someone with a lot of money and a sense of humour.”

The fundraiser is being accomplished with the help of the Tauranga Bridge Marina, which is providing free parking. Insurance is provided by Bay Insurance Brokers, which also offered to pay the premium as insurance is a prerequisite for vessels in the marina.

'His company has been processing the containers as they come onto the wharf.

'I talked to him and put up the idea and he said ‘I will go and talk to some people'. He also moved it over to the berth space and put it in the water for me.”

The lifeboat is 7.46m long overall and 2.90m wide. It weighs just over three tonnes and is powered by a 43hp Volva Penta engine, with drive through a Kort Nozzle – a marine ducted fan arrangement where the propeller and ruder are one.

The lifeboat was built by Schat Harding, Norway, 2003. Brand new they are worth $100,000. In Norway the Rena lifeboat is worth $US10,000 and there's one in India worth $NZ38,000.

The engine alone is worth several thousand dollars. During the lifeboat's time on board the Rena it would have been run once a year when the boat was lowered into the water as part of its certification requirements.

'It's probably only done about four hours' work,” says Moss.

Delwynne wishes to thank Moss Carlin, and support his previously given thanks to Rena owners Daina Shipping Co. and their parent company Costamare Inc Svitzers and Smit, NZ Marshalling and Stevedoring Ltd, Tauranga Bridge Marina, Bay Insurance Brokers & Mount Auto Electrical.

Three children are diagnosed with cancer each week in New Zealand, and the CCF appoints a dedicated Family Support Co-ordinator to each family and child from diagnosis.

When the children have finished treatment the CCF is still involved with many of the families says Delwynne, and with the bereaved as well.

The foundation receives no government funding.

To bid on the Rena lifeboat go to http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/auction-474714003.htm