In Queenstown yesterday, he presented 10 local drivers with the new Maritime New Zealand licences and he said they would ensure security for both drivers and jet-boat users.
"It's about making sure our world-leading status is safeguarded and I'm grateful to the 49 operators in the industry for really getting behind it. They've really driven this for the Government."
Under new Maritime New Zealand rules, it would be compulsory for jet-boat drivers to sit licences to reflect good industry practice on the water.
The new programme would include a practical driving test, ongoing competency checks and drivers keeping log books. The rules would require jet-boat drivers to have at least 50 hours' experience before they qualified for the licence.
Although many of the country's 42 jet-boating companies required these standards already, Mr Bridges said it was important to have "formalisation" across the industry and across the country.
"It insures a fit and proper standard is met so there aren't dodgy people in the industry."
Since 1999, there had been two jet-boat-related deaths in New Zealand. Although the industry carried more than 370,000 passengers a year, Mr Bridges said "one death is one too many".
Maritime New Zealand's general manager of strategy and communications Lindsay Sturt said comparatively speaking Queenstown had a good safety record, but there was no room for complacency.
Tourism Industry Association New Zealand chief executive Martin Snedden said the introduction of the licences was a mark of the professionalism and maturity of the sector.
The licence scheme was the result of years of research by the Commercial Jet Boat Association, Maritime New Zealand and Tourism Industry Association, he said.
Mr Snedden said the licence would increase efforts by New Zealand's adventure tourism sector to further strengthen safety.
"It is critical the adventure remains in adventure tourism, but the industry has a responsibility to ensure that these experiences are being offered within a robust safety framework."
Commercial Jet Boat Association president Jerry Hohneck said the new licence represented a benchmark in jet boating worldwide and that it would help raise the profile of individual jet-boat drivers as well.
Meanwhile, Queenstown Harbour Master Marty Black was presented with a recognition of service award from Mr Sturt on behalf of Maritime New Zealand.
Mr Black said he was thrilled to receive the award and it was a reflection of the Harbour Master team as well.
