All charges against the two Kawarau Jet boat drivers allegedly involved in incidents during high winds on Lake Wakatipu 11 months ago were withdrawn, but the company will plead guilty to three charges, the Queenstown District Court heard yesterday.
Maritime NZ counsel Heather McKenzie said Kawarau Jet agreed to plead guilty to three of the original five charges under both the Maritime Transport and Health and Safety acts and all other charges for both the drivers and the company were to be withdrawn.
The remaining charges faced by the company were under the Maritime Transport Act, of two counts of dangerous activity involving vessels and one count of failing to notify an accident or incident.
Judge Dominic Flatley asked if it was a matter where he needed to give time for submissions.
Lawyer Katy Baxter, who appeared as agent on instructions from Kawarau Jet lawyer Jennifer Borrett, said probably two hours would be required.
The judge set sentencing for January 17, with submissions on public safety and self-regulation from both Maritime and Kawarau Jet to be filed seven days earlier.
Charges against drivers Jamie Stuart Beer (27), of Lumsden, and George Mathew Wallis (28), of Arrowtown, employees of Kawarau Jet Services Holdings Ltd, who appeared yesterday, were withdrawn, the judge said.
