When they were wheeling the boats in for an annual servicing, technicians noticed the pilot's dashboard control panel on one boat had been stolen and its cables cut, and the other boat had had its control panel damaged in the attempt to remove it from the vessel.
Shotover Jet general manager Clark Scott reported the damage and theft to Queenstown police yesterday.
Both boats, valued at just under $300,000 each when operational on a trailer, had been stripped of seats and equipment for the servicing.
The boats were parked outside the workshop because a company bus was being serviced inside.
The panels display revolutions per minute, fuel quantity, oil pressure and engine temperature, among other readings, for the pilot.
They also house the alarm systems for the boats.
Mr Scott said he was frustrated by the inconvenience of the petty vandalism and theft. The company had never experienced a case of wilful damage before, he said.
"I would say someone building a boat, or needing gauges for a car, or just to vandalise, took the opportunity to trespass on Shotover Jet property.
"It's quite possible the criminals were disturbed by our security company, which does make random, regular checks through [the] night."
Mr Scott said one boat would be working again in two weeks and the other in eight weeks. The company's operations would not be affected.
Sergeant Steve Watt, of Queenstown, said inquiries were continuing.
