Shotover Jet Accepts Accident Report

The Managing Director of Shotover Jet Limited, James Boult, said today he found the report of the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) into the fatal jetboat accident of November 1999 to be largely fair and accurate.

Mr Boult said that he noted that the report backed the company’s longheld view that the cause of the accident was the failure of a vital steering component - which had subsequently been recalled by the manufacturer.

He said that even before the accident, Shotover Jet had been engaged in a comprehensive review of its safety and operational procedures and had already implemented measures that anticipated the report’s recommendations.

“Safety has always been - and will continue to be - the utmost priority for Shotover Jet,” Mr Boult said.

“Shotover Jet deeply regrets the 1999 accident, which was the first of its type in our 30 years of operation - during which we have safely carried nearly 2 million passengers a total of more than 26 million passenger kilometres.

“While there are one or two points in the MSA’s report with which we disagree, it is generally balanced and makes comments of interest to the entire New Zealand commercial jet boating industry.

“Overall, it signals the MSA’s intention to continue to promote the very highest safety standards throughout the industry.

“Shotover Jet has always been happy to work alongside the authorities to achieve that,” Mr Boult said.

ENDS

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