On Saturday, Thunder Jet staff and supporters celebrated the addition of the McKenzie Marine and Mackraft-built Thunder Jet 3 to the company's fleet at the Steamer Wharf.
The boat was blessed by Waihopai Runanga Upoko Michael Skerrett before its first trip down the Kawarau River, a free ride for supporters and agents.
Thunder Jet director Neville Kelly said the 820-horsepower boat came equipped with the latest technology, including a marine sound system - enabling passengers to listen to music while blasting along the river - self-draining decks, a custom-designed driver's seat, a digital Murphy system dash and seven-sealed buoyancy, meaning it was ''unsinkable''.
The boat had been designed with input from Thunder Jet drivers and staff and had taken four months to build.
The company's fleet also boasts three tourism jet boats to run the 44km trips and two Queenstown water taxis, which operate on Lake Wakatipu daily.
