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The tour company accused of safety violations over a boat crash in the Kimberley has confirmed it currently employs the master of the boat — who was also charged — at its Rottnest Express business in Perth.
Key points:
- A number of tourists were allegedly injured when a tour boat crashed at Horizontal Falls last year
- Journey Beyond Adventures and the boat master, Edward James Whisson, have been charged with alleged safety violations
- The company also runs Rottnest Express, where Mr Whisson is employed, and says passenger safety is of utmost importance
Journey Beyond Adventures was the owner of the tour boat Falls Express that crashed into a rock wall at Horizontal Falls in May 2022, allegedly injuring some of its 27 passengers.
The company also owns Rottnest Express, which runs tours and daily ferry services from Perth to the popular destination of Rottnest Island.
Journey Beyond Adventures, along with Edward James Whisson, were charged on Tuesday over alleged safety-related offences under the Marine Safety National Law Act 2012.
The company owns a series of other boat cruise operations in the Whitsundays, Darwin, Sydney and Perth.
Journey Beyond Adventures said on Wednesday that Mr Whisson was "a highly experienced skipper" currently employed by Rottnest Express.
'Robust safety systems'
Mr Whisson's LinkedIn profile describes his role as Crew Supervisor-Master 35-MED 2, a position that requires a certificate of competency through the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
"Rottnest Express has robust safety systems and processes in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew," the company said in a statement.
"Safety is our utmost priority."
Following an investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Office of Commonwealth Public Prosecutions charged Journey Beyond Adventures with two offences.
It charged the company with allegedly failing to "so far as reasonably practicable" ensure the safety of the vessel, its equipment and the operation of the vessel.
It was also charged with allegedly failing to implement and maintain a safety management system that could ensure Falls Express and its operations, were safe.
Mr Whisson was charged with allegedly failing to take reasonable care, and not implementing and complying with the safety management system for the vessel and its operation.
The matter will proceed through the WA Magistrates Court. The company and Mr Whisson are yet to enter pleas to the charges.
AMSA declined to be interviewed on Wednesday about how commercial tour boats and their operators are regulated to ensure passenger safety.
Safety regulation
The authority's website described a series of certificates and permits required by commercial passenger vessels to operate in Australian waters.
It said all dangerous occurrences, such as collisions with other vessels and objects and life-threatening incidents, had to be reported to AMSA.
In 2020, incidents reported from passenger vessels accounted for 34.8 per cent of the total 758 incidents reported from commercial vessels (including fishing boats).