Journey Beyond Adventures, Edward James Whisson charged over Horizontal Falls Seaplane crash

The tour company and vessel master that operated a high-speed boat that crashed into rocks at Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley - critically injuring more than a dozen tourists - have been charged. The Falls Express was touring the falls around Talbot Bay, about 250km from Broome, on May 22 last year with 25 passengers and two crew on board when it crashed while passing through a 7.5 metre gap at high speeds. The vessel was later lifted from the waters, with 18 passengers flown by RFDS for treatment. Commonwealth prosecutors on Friday charged the vessel’s master Edward James Whisson and the company Journey Beyond Adventures Pty Ltd, which trades as Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. Mr Whisson has been charged with failing to take reasonable care, and not implementing and complying with the safety management system for the vessel and its operations. The company has been charged with failing to ensure the safety of the vessel, its equipment and the operation of the vessel and failing to implement and maintain a safety management system that could ensure safety. In a statement Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which investigated the incident over the past year, the rescue effort was described as “rapid and commendable”. “The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has meticulously investigated the incident, gathering, and analysing evidence over the past year,” they said. “As this matter will now proceed to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia, it would be inappropriate for AMSA to comment further.” The rescue operation included setting up a makeshift emergency department on nearby Koolan Island, where Mt Gibson Iron operates a mine. Both parties are due to appear in court on June 30.