Horizontal Falls boat crash: Skipper, tour company admit guilt in last-minute move on morning of trial

The skipper in the horror boat crash at Horizontal Falls that prompted the closure of the tourism icon has admitted guilt on the morning of his trial.

All vessels were temporarily banned from going through the narrow, 7.5m gap at the Kimberley falls last year after a high-speed tour boat, named Falls Express, smashed into rocks in May 2022.

The incident left 18 tourists badly injured and prompted a 12-month State Government consultation process with traditional owners and tour operators about the future of the falls.

It also led to charges against boat master Edward James Whisson and owner Journey Beyond Pty Ltd, trading as Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures.

Each pleaded not guilty to two counts of contravening their duty to ensure safety and both were due to face trial in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.

But plans changed at the last minute, with Whisson pleading guilty to both charges, while the company indicated it would plead guilty to one charge and had the second charge dropped.

Whisson will be sentenced on January 17, when Journey Beyond’s representatives will face court again.

In the wake of the crash, the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation, which jointly manages the falls with the State Government, called for both gaps to be permanently closed to all vessels in a multi-year, staged process.

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti told The West Australian in January she wanted them to remain open so economic benefits from the tourism drawcard would continue to flow.

But in March, the Cook Government announced that Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures would be allowed to keep traversing the gaps until its licence expired in March 2028, while all other licensed tour operators would have to stop at the end of 2026.

Journey Beyond arm was given more time “as the marine park’s largest”.

Tourism Council WA said 15 operators would be affected by the closure, with the loss of 58 full time equivalent jobs and $15 million in revenue from the region per year.

The WA Liberals pledged to reverse the decision.

The DAC, however, said there had been a number of incidents at Horizontal Falls since the 1990s and traditional owners were pleased to have had their concerns heard.

“This is not about stopping tourism or closure ... but it is about moving away from dangerous thrill rides,” the corporation said in a statement.

“We believe there are better ways that visitors can experience the magic of Horizontal Falls and support us to protect this sacred site.”

Journey Beyond operates the Ghan and Indian Pacific rail tours, and Rottnest Express ferries.