Shotover Jet, owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism, is getting closer to introducing its first operational electric jet boat, says the company’s Business Manager, Donald Boyer, who leads the programme.
The electrification programme initially kicked off in 2019 but took an 18-month hiatus during Covid. However, it’s now forging ahead following successful trials and boat design and infrastructure is now being worked on, Donald says.
While there are many examples of electric boats around the world, there are none of the size, or that offer the same speed and performance, of the company’s prototype. The next step in the electrification of the fleet is to decide on key design aspects of the boats and the support infrastructure onsite, like charging, maintenance, and training. There is also a need to work with providers to ensure sufficient electricity is available.
“Battery performance is changing and improving all the time and we’re in a bit of a tricky position – should we build right now or take a brief pause to let battery technology catch up?” he says.
“I think it’s possible that we could have an electric commercial jet boat operating in the next two years, but I’m also conscious that given the size, scale and complexity of the project, this could change.”
The prospect of a commercial electric jet boat powering up the gorge excites him and should also excite die-hard V8 fans, he says.
“What we discovered while testing the prototype was that while you don’t have the sound of the V8 power you still have the wonderful sound of the jet units blasting 800 litres of water a second. And, you still get a tingle down your spine when you put your foot down on the pedal as the torque and sheer acceleration are remarkable and will add a great deal to the experience. So, while you’ll lose the sound of the V8 you make up for it in other ways.”
Donald says that while the company is committed to the programme, there’s one caveat.
“We’ve made it abundantly clear that when we operate an electric jet boat it must run the same or better than an existing petrol-powered boat and provide an equal or better experience for our customers. Nothing less is acceptable.”
A baker by trade, Donald Boyer moved to Queenstown 10 years ago to help set up a new cafe business but soon found himself itching for something a little more exciting – and looking towards Shotover Jet.
“I was pretty clear from the start that I wanted to drive boats but it’s a very sought after role and you’ve got to work hard to even get your foot in the door,” he recalls.
“I happily took on the role of groundskeeper at Shotover Jet for that chance. And, when I started, I soon realised that it was a great place to work and the values of the owner, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, were closely aligned to my own.”
From groundskeeper, Donald worked up the ranks, from trainee boat driver to qualified driver and then, senior driver. He later became the team leader before moving into his current position of Business Manager. During the turbulent Covid period he also managed the Dart River Jet business, also owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism.
Donald’s responsible for business strategy, financial management and leading a large team of drivers, technical support and customer service staff. After all, Shotover Jet is a behemoth of an operation. From humble beginnings in 1965 when Shotover Jet, as we know it today, began operating on the Kimiākau (Shotover River) with wooden boats that each carried five passengers, it’s since carried over four million passengers.
The history of the river stretches back further still. Rewi Davis, Ngāi Tahu Kaumātua and Te Rūnanga o Ōraka Aparima Representative, says the majestic Kimiākau (Shotover River) has been home to his ancestors for centuries.
“The Kimiākau is of great importance to Ngāi Tahu whānui katoa. This is where the story of our freshwater starts: he wai te toto o te whenua, ō tātou tīpuna, e rere mai ana ki uta ki tai – the water is the blood of the whenua, our ancestor, flowing from the mountains to the seas.”
Donald says he is immensely proud to be working for Shotover Jet, an organisation that has a rich history but which continues to diversify and innovate. Even after 10 years with the award-winning operation, he counts himself lucky.
“We host visitors from every conceivable part of the globe; some have never set foot in a boat of any type, and most have never had the opportunity to sit in a high-performance jet boat like we have here. Yet, within 60 seconds of having a safety briefing and leaving the dock our guests are travelling at 80kph up the Shotover Gorge just half a metre from the canyon walls. It just blows their minds and that is incredibly rewarding and satisfying for not only me, but everyone here.”
Over the decades, Shotover Jet guests have included entertainment juggernauts such as Justin Bieber, Jason Momoa and Sir Ian McKellan, heads of state and even royalty but Donald recalls one personal highlight – hosting Team New Zealand after their 2017 America’s Cup victory in Bermuda.
“I’m a huge America’s Cup fan so having the opportunity to meet the team, talk with the guys and Grant Dalton has been a clear highlight.”
Donald’s no stranger to boating, having grown up in Gore in Southland and holidaying, boating and fishing at Kingston on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and other southern lakes.
From those humble boating beginnings, he’s now set to guide Shotover Jet as it embarks on this revolutionary next step in its history.
Words by Tom Fraser, Photography supplied
