The driver of a Shotover Jet boat which hit a rock in the top canyon of the Shotover River on Thursday has been stood down pending an investigation.
Marketing manager Nigel Kerr said the driver had been with the company ''for a while'' and had completed the required 120 hours' training.
''There is always a risk in adventure tourism and we certainly do everything we can to minimise the chance of it occurring. Unfortunately, it does happen.''
Mr Kerr said the rear of the boat was slightly damaged after it came into contact with the rock ''in the last minute'' of the trip.
The nine passengers on board were transported to another boat and returned to the base building, checked and given complimentary ''Jet Cam'' packs containing a video of their trip.
''There was some make-up given ... because we didn't deliver 100% on our trip.''
Maritime New Zealand is investigating the incident.
MNZ spokesman Steve Rendell said yesterday the investigation would take ''a couple of weeks at least'' Mr Kerr said the damaged boat would probably be back on the water on Monday ''at the latest''.
While the damage appeared to be limited to ''a bit of a ding'', the engine had to be fully checked before it could operate again.
Normal operations resumed at 2.30pm on Thursday.
