Captain Cook Cruises told to make improvements after Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview students fall into Sydney Harbour

A routine school ferry trip that ended with pupils from an elite private school thrown into Sydney Harbour has resulted in calls for a safety overhaul.

A Sydney cruise boat company has been ordered to review its safety protocols after a routine school ferry trip ended with pupils from ritzy Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview thrown into Sydney Harbour.

An investigation by the Office of Transport Safety has called for Captain Cook Cruises to make improvements in response to a ferry trip that culminated with students having to scramble to safety at Riverview College Wharf in 2023.

The ferry – which had dozens of young students on board – was disembarking when it moved away from the wharf, resulting in a gangway linking the boat and the wharf to fall into the water – along with two male students.

As it entered the water, the gangway overturned with two students underneath. One of the students managed to free themselves and climb onto the gangway while the second student remained under the gangway with their backpack.

A third student on the gangway also fell forward but managed to grasp the edge of the wharf, preventing him from falling into the water before being assisted by other students.

Image taken during the incident. Photos: Office of Transport Safety Investigations.

During the commotion, another student jumped into the water as the student under the gangway was eventually freed and taken ashore.

At the time of the incident, then NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said she was left “aghast” by the incident, declaring: “If it were my kids (involved) I would be furious.”

An investigation into the mishap – which has taken two years to complete – has found various factors contributed to the incident including ineffective safety protocols relating to risks from the gangway at the wharf.

Students were disembarking when the incident unfolded.

Time pressures and ineffective crowd management that hindered communication between crew were also cited as contributing factors.

The experienced master of the vessel – in an interview with investigators – said there were logistic challenges at Riverview College Wharf included pylons he considered “not suitable” for vessels to be secured on during high tides.

The master said there had been challenges communicating with a deckhand on board at the time of the incident due to the noise from a large number of young passengers on board the ferry.

The vessel in the moments before the incident.

The deckhand told investigators he believed the incident could have been prevented through better crew communication and crowd control.

The investigation found the positioning of backpacks over the shoulders of students also impacted the movement and mobility of students who were thrown into the water.

Following the incident, Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview – which owns the wharf – has carried out a string of safety upgrades at the site including additional life rings and ladders.

At the time of the incident, no life ring was located in proximity to the face of the wharf.

The wharf is privately owned by the north shore college.

The college has also appointed senior students to the role of “student monitors” who hold responsibility for monitoring behaviour and safety concerns.

The Office of Transport Safety Investigations has called for Captain Cook Cruises to review several of its safety protocols including those relating to crew training, gangway operations and the risks posed to passengers who wear backpacks while traversing gangways.

In a statement, a spokesman for Captain Cook Cruises said the company has worked closely with the investigation process, outlining its “commitment to safety, the extensive experience of our crew and the measures have taken to support our passengers and crew”.

“Our response also highlighted the importance of regular wharf and infrastructure maintenance,” the spokesman said.

“Following the incident in 2023, Captain Cook Cruises acted immediately, implementing changes that have enhanced the safety of disembarking passengers at Riverview College Wharf.

“Some of the changes include the removal of backpacks when disembarking, restricting deck access, and various procedural changes to ensure safe berthing.

“With many changes and recommendations having been in place for more than 18 months, Captain Cook Cruises will continue with its regular reviews to ensure we continue to meet and exceed best practice.”