Executive summary
On Saturday 22 February 2003 at about 1130, the commercial jet boat "Wilderness Jet 3" was travelling downstream on the Dart River, with a driver and 4 passengers on board, when it collided with Private Jet Boat proceeding upstream with a driver and one passenger on board. The boats came to rest on a shingle bank with the commercial boat on top of the private boat. The Private Jet Boat was extensively damaged. Both drivers and 4 of the passengers sustained minor injuries.
Safety issues identified included:
· the concentration of traffic on the Dart River
· the radio traffic on the Dart River
· the promulgation of information concerning private jet boaters on the river
· the training of persons in charge of a pleasure craft
Safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Managing Director of Dart Wilderness Adventures and the General Manager of Dart River Safaris.
Related Recommendations
In conjunction with the other commercial operators on the Dart River system formulate a procedure to ensure that: information concerning the presence and intentions of private jet boaters on the river system is promulgated to all commercial operators at the earliest possible time.
In conjunction with the other commercial operators on the Dart River system formulate a procedure to ensure that: information concerning the presence and intentions of private jet boaters on the river system is promulgated to all commercial operators at the earliest possible time.
Evaluate and quantify the traffic on the Dart River and put in place a policy that will prevent conflict between and within the various user groups.
the river VHF radio channel is available solely for radio traffic necessary for the safe operation of jet boats on the river. This channel should be monitored by all operators and their boats and used for the passing of safety information, including the disposition of private jet boats on the river. A separate VHF radio channel should be utilised for routine radio traffic of the commercial operators.
The river VHF radio channel is available solely for radio traffic necessary for the safe operation of jet boats on the river. This channel should be monitored by all operators and their boats and used for the passing of safety information, including the disposition of private jet boats on the river. A separate VHF radio channel should be utilised for routine radio traffic of the commercial operators