Shotover Jet concerned over image after technical failures

A tourist attraction offering jetboat rides is concerned that customers will be deterred by a series of problems that have halted trips.

"That would be a concern for any business," said Rick Tau, acting general manager of Ngai Tahu Tourism, which owns Shotover Jet. "That's why we want to get going again. We are just trying to keep our [tourist] suppliers advised."

Shotover Jet, which offers high-speed thrill rides on the Shotover River near Queenstown, has been out of action since Sunday when one of its jet boats caught fire and sank. An investigation found the fire was caused by fuel vapours igniting in the boat's bilge.

Last month Shotover Jet was shut down for 4 days to investigate engine problems.

It had been hoped Shotover Jet would reopen for business yesterday, but Mr Tau said it would now have to be later.

Maritime New Zealand was yesterday working with the Queenstown Lakes District Council inspecting the jet boat fleet and the firm's safety processes.

"We want to get those boats up and running as soon as possible. We realise their value to the [tourist] industry and New Zealand as a whole. But we are not going to do that before we are satisfied [the boats] are 100 per cent safe," said Maritime NZ spokesman Steve Corbett.

Council chief executive Duncan Field said extra safety auditing sought from the company had postponed the restarting of the jetboat operations. "What we basically asked them to do is do a complete audit of the boats and assure us that they are thoroughly on top of their game," Mr Field said. "Safety comes first, second and third."