Resort should be accountable for death - father

The father of a woman killed on her honeymoon by a motor boat while snorkelling in Fiji says the tourist resort should have also been held responsible for her death.

Blenheim woman Rebecca Stockwell died after a boat propeller struck her head while she was swimming at Matamanoa island resort in November 2007.

The Fijian driver of the boat Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, 27, was today sentenced for her manslaughter and jailed for a year.

But Ms Stockwell's father Mark Crawley said the management and owners of the resort were ultimately responsible.

The driver of the boat was driving fast near the shoreline and looking down at the bung when the accident happened, Mr Crawley told Radio New Zealand.

"But at that high speed the bow of the boat was so high in the water, he would not have been able to see Rebecca anyway."

The driver was an employee of the resort, which also owned the boat.

Mr Crawley said his daughter's death was not the only incident at the resort. There had been others causing death and injury since her accident.

Until recently holding companies to account had not been part of Fijian law, he said.

"(But) we believe there is now international pressure growing for Fiji to start considering taking criminal action against companies."

He said they had been told by the prosecution they were now building a case of manslaughter against Matamanoa island.

"It has been uncovered by this incident that there was virtually no medical supplies on the island whatsoever and the prosecution have already confirmed that at least one item that was mandatory for them to have within their medical supplies was not on the island.

"So there was definite negligence, definite breaches that have already come to light."

- NZPA