A skipper on a Great Barrier Reef vaping tour boat has won compensation after Australia's Fair Work Commission ruled he was unfairly dismissed, despite being accused of sleeping on duty, vaping while working and dismissing guests' safety concerns during snorkelling trips. The case highlights the tension employers face between documenting serious workplace misconduct and meeting the procedural fairness standards required to justify a lawful dismissal, with the commission finding the operator's sacking process fell short even where the underlying complaints had merit.

Allegations against the skipper reportedly included remarks suggesting indifference to guests' welfare, along with claims he vaped on the job and failed to properly respond to snorkellers' safety concerns while at sea. Despite these accusations, the Fair Work Commission determined the dismissal process itself was flawed, resulting in a payout being awarded to the skipper rather than the sacking being upheld.