MO-1997-201

On Monday, 20 January 1997, at about 1255 a jet boat carrying ten passengers plus the driver, and a substantial amount of water in the cockpit, was proceeding up the Ngaawapurua (Fulljames) "Rapid", when it lost engine power, took on more water and foundered in the rapid. The 11 occupants escaped to the river bank uninjured. Causes included the driver's failure to notice the substantial amount of water in the cockpit which affected the performance of the boat, reduced the freeboard and caused the engine to stop.

A safety issue identified was the carriage of more than the approved number of passengers. Safety recommendations were made to the operator, the Waikato Regional Council and the Taupo District Council regarding the regulation of operators on the Waikato River.