Coroner refrains from recommending jet boat industry reform after man's death

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

A coroner has refrained from recommending the jet boating industry should be reformed, despite pleas from industry experts following a man's death.

Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar found Patrick Michael Trebes died from massive head trauma when his small jet boat crashed on the Waiau River, near Monowai Village in western Southland, on August 29, 2014.

Crerar said Trebes, a line worker, died on the river about 2km north of the Monowai Power Station when his 3.3 metre-long 'River Rat' jet boat crashed. Trebes had been travelling in a west-northwest direction, and the late winter sun was low in the sky, making the water dark. Trebes was thrown from the jet boat when it struck a boulder in the river, and fatally hit his head when he landed.

Jet boat industry experts had called for reform of the industry after an inquest had heard the welding of the boat appeared to be substandard, and that Invercargill boat builder Ken Lake had found significant amounts of 'steel wool' in the moving parts of the River Rat as he was dismantling it.

**READ MORE:

* Jetboaters call for action following Southland death

* Police name jet boat driver**

Jet Boating New Zealand (JBNZ) had expressed concern about the regulation of jet boats under 3.6 metres in length.

In his report, Crerar says the jet boat's shorter length and transom chine width of 1.24 metres meant it had a lower centre of gravity, making it easier to flip.

Crerar also said Trebes' weight of 125kg may have been a factor, as the River Rat was designed for a person of average weight.

Although he did not call for reform, Crerar said his findings should call to the attention of JBNZ and Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) the evidence heard in testimony regarding the design and operation of jet boats with a hull length of 3.6 metres or less.

After failing to return from jetboating, Trebes' partner Merrill Laurence and neighbours expressed their concerns, which led to a helicopter with night vision equipment being used as part of a search and rescue operation.

Trebes' body was found in the morning on August 30, 2014, by a volunteer jet boat operator and police, about 1m from the boat.

Trebes had purchased the River Rat about 10 days before the fatal crash from Marine South owner-operator Paul Ruddenklau, who sold Trebes the boat.

Ruddenklau had told an inquest he had not had any problems during his 100 hours of operating experience in the boat he sold to Trebes.

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Ben Mack: @benaroundearth