Maritime NZ warning as Wānaka jet boat driver sentenced

A Wānaka commercial jet boat driver has been penalised more than $50,000 almost two years on from colliding with an angler on the Clutha/Mata-Au River.

Patrick Perkins was sentenced in the Queenstown District Court on Friday following a guilty plea for operating a jet boat in a manner which caused unnecessary danger or risk to other persons or property under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

In a statement Maritime New Zealand says the prosecution highlights the need for commercial jet boat operators to have a "safety first approach" to the routes they take on a waterway.

The charge relates to an incident on December 30, 2022, when Mr Perkins’s jet boat collided with a recreational jet boat on the river near Albert Town during a commercial run with four passengers on board.

Mr Perkins is the sole director of Go Jets Wanaka Ltd.

On that day, he approached an island in the river, where the recreational jet boat was sitting, after its owner had spent a stint at a favoured fishing spot. Mr Perkins reportedly cut across the river to do a close pass of a rock just downstream of the island.

Investigations manager at Maritime NZ John Maxwell says, due to the line taken, Mr Perkins was unable to see the other jet boat at the head of the island.

"Despite attempting to take action to avoid collision, the commercial boat struck the recreational craft at about 65 kilometres an hour," he says.

While the driver of the recreational jet boat survived, he suffered significant injuries and was in hospital for a prolonged period.

"This incident is a strong reminder to everyone driving jet boats, commercial and recreational, to understand their surroundings, to drive safe lines and to open up corners to ensure visibility. The consequences of failing to do so can be catastrophic for all involved," Mr Maxwell says.

Experts agree the river is generally not a difficult one for boating, but what ups the stakes on it is its proximity to growing Wānaka, and its attractiveness to a variety of water users - those floating on tyre tubes, in kayaks, and swimming, in addition to recreational and commercial jet boaters.

"It is predominately a wide deep river with a fast current. It has pressure waves which are best avoided for reasons of passenger comfort and safety, however these hazards can easily be navigated around," Mr Maxwell says.

Like with all rivers in New Zealand, he wants skippers to keep right and if going upstream give way to vessels coming downstream.

"Everyone deserves to come home safe from a day out on the water," Mr Maxwell says.

In court on Friday, Mr Perkins was ordered to pay a fine of $4,950 and $46,717 in reparation, which he has already handed over.

Main image (Wikipedia/Cromwellgap/CC BY-SA 3.0): The Clutha/Mata-Au River at Albert Town.