The thrill-ride tourism activity operated in Queenstown Bay and out to the Kawarau River, alongside rival Kawarau Jet boat operations, without a hitch, Thunder Jet spokesman Duncan Storrier said.
The activity followed emailed consent approval by Judge Laurie Newhook, of Auckland, before his official decision tentatively expected next week. The approval follows a two-and a-half-year legal challenge by Kawarau Jet.
"It's really exciting to get out there and take a couple of trips," Mr Storrier said.
"It took a wee bit to get everyone to fall into line on some of the radio protocols, but everyone's now on the same channel, so that's good."
Mr Storrier said Thunder Jet and Kawarau Jet were now using radio channel 119 and it was working very well. Marine 5 remained the public channel.
There were no black spots in 119 coverage and the channel had been thoroughly tested and deemed suitable for jet-boat operators to use by Maritime New Zealand, Judge Newhook and the Queenstown Lakes District Council Harbourmaster's office, Mr Storrier said.
"In our case, we make six compulsory transmissions, all in key places, [such as] entering the bay, leaving the bay, approaching the confluence of the river, etc.
"They are blind transmissions, so the other parties hear them and vice-versa. Kawarau Jet are required to make their transmissions in the same spots, so we are aware of where they are."
Mr Storrier said Thunder Jet's safe operational plan was amended and approved by Maritime New Zealand. He said he understood Kawarau Jet had complied with Maritime's request and made amendments to its safe operational plan.
Thunder Jet co-director Neville Kelly said a capacity 23 passengers, plus himself as the driver, rode on the first trip yesterday at 11am. The second trip at 2pm only had three empty seats.
Passengers were a mix of New Zealanders, Australians, Asians and Europeans, many of whom had read the coverage of the court approval in the Otago Daily Times and Queenstown Times yesterday and wanted to show their support, Mr Kelly said.
Thunder Jet brochures were being distributed to booking agents and hotels.
The consented route of the jet-boat is from Convell's Wharf, near Earnslaw Park, and out Queenstown Bay, along Frankton Arm and on to the Kawarau River down to High Cliffs, then return, in about an hour-long trip.
"We're very thankful for all the support the greater Queenstown community have given us," Mr Storrier said.
"It's really quite overwhelming - there's people dropping off boxes of beer and saying well done. It's their support over the last two years that made the pain bearable."
Kawarau Jet directors Shaun Kelly and Andy Brinsley did not return telephone messages yesterday.
