Morpheus Cruises under investigation after Boxing Day boat party

Police are investigating a Boxing Day harbour cruise after shocking vision emerged of passengers dangerously crowding the vessel’s front deck.

A packed party boat has been slammed by the NSW Transport Minister and is under police investigation after footage emerged of passengers crowding the front deck, which caused the bow to inch dangerously close to the water’s surface.

The video, which was filmed on Boxing Day as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race began, shows the passengers aboard a Morpheus Cruises vessel.

Some punters are seen on their feet dancing, waving their arms in the air holding drinks as the boat surged forward amid a flotilla of other leisure vessels following the racing yachts towards Sydney Heads.

Shocking vision has emerged of a harbour cruise with dozens of passengers – many elderly – pushing the front of the boat almost down to water level.

The back of the boat skimmed the tops of the waves as the weight of the punters angled the front downwards.

But the footage captured from a nearby boat shows the bow of the ship slanting down dangerously close to the water’s surface, while the stern of the boat lifted free of the waves to hover above.

The person filming the party boat is heard declaring in the background: “They’re going to tip over, they’re getting wet … no way, that’s how people die”.

Transport Minister David Elliott slammed the incident on Monday and said he would ask officials to look at fining the boat’s skipper.

Transport Minister David Elliott slammed the incident, and police are now investigating.

“We can‘t legislate against stupidity but I’ve asked Maritime if they can at least fine the captain for it,” Mr Elliott said.

“Safety on our waterways should always come first.”

NSW Police confirmed the incident shown on the footage was under investigation by marine officers.

“The Marine Area Command are aware of this incident and are conducting inquiries,” a spokesman said.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department was also investigating further.

Morpheus Cruises website claims the boating hire company offers “cruising with elegance and style on Sydney Harbour”, specialising in weddings, corporate functions and private celebrations.

The Boxing Day cruise cost $170 per person.

The video of the boat has reached 1.1 million views on TikTok.

The company’s Boxing Day event cost $170 per person, with a description that read: “Be a part of the action as the yachts battle for pole position in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2021. Morpheus cruises’ experienced skipper will ensure front row seats as you witness the start of the most anticipated event in the yacht racing calendar.“

The cruise company will next host an Australia Day event on January 26.

Morpheus Cruises declined to comment when approached by The Daily Telegraph.

The video of the perilously perched boat, posted online by an account dedicated to sharing boating fails around the globe, now has more than 1.1 million views on TikTok, with users weighing in on the incident in the comments.

“I was waiting for the bow to tip under,” one wrote.

“Those people have no idea how close they are to disaster and losing their lives, all it takes is one dip and that water weight will sink,” another chimed in.

“Recipe for disaster,” a third added.