The Crown's seeking record-breaking reparations from a distracted powerboat skipper - over a crash that left a man paralysed from the neck down

James Petrie Thomson has pleaded guilty to dangerous boat activity, over hitting a passenger ferry at speed in the Bay of Islands last year.

The Crown sought 100-thousand-dollars in reparations for paralysed ferry captain Bill Elliot and his family - the highest under the Maritime Transport Act.

Thomson returned to Auckland District Court today for sentencing - and defence highlighted his remorse, and sought 40-thousand-dollars.