Jet boat drivers sentenced

Two commercial jet boat drivers were each fined $3000 and ordered to pay $3000 in reparation today in Queenstown District Court, following a collision on the Dart River, near Queenstown, in January 2013.

Simon Thomas Collins, of Cromwell, and Shayle Andrew Thompson, of Queenstown, working for Dart River Safaris Ltd at the time, both pleaded guilty to a charge of causing unnecessary risk or danger to those on board, after a jet boat carrying 11 passengers collided with another, carrying only the driver.

The reparation will be paid to a United States passenger who suffered a broken clavicle in the incident.

Maritime New Zealand Compliance Manager South David Billington said the sentences reflected the need for those working in the adventure tourism industry to make safety their main priority.

“Not only can serious injuries occur when things go wrong, but New Zealand’s reputation as a safe holiday destination is put at risk,” he said.

ENDS

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