Manly Fast Ferry: ‘Dangerous and threatening’ behaviour by young males forces vessel to return to Manly Wharf

Threats and “dangerous” behaviour by thuggish young males forced a ferry captain to return to the wharf to ensure the safety of passengers and crew at busy Sydney tourist hub.

The menacing behaviour of a group of young males forced a Sydney ferry captain to return the vessel to Manly Wharf to protect passengers and crew.

Manly Fast Ferry officials described the actions of a small number of passengers on the 4.30pm Wednesday service to Circular Quay as “threatening and dangerous”.

A passenger described the young males as “out of control”.

Northern Beaches Police officers met the vessel when it docked at Manly.

The Manly Fast Ferry’s 4.30pm service to the city on Wednesday had to return to Manly due to the “threatening and dangerous behaviour of some young passengers. File picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A passenger confirmed that Tuesday afternoon’s ferry turned back just five minutes after it left the wharf due to the behaviour of a small minority of passengers.

In an angry post to a Manly community Facebook site, the male passenger wrote that the incident involved “more out of control young guys causing problems”.

Another passenger on the service described the youths as a “bunch of entitled little *****”.

“Ferry staff should not have to endure such behaviour or disrespect at work,” the passenger posted.

“And neither should commuters trying to go about their day.”

This masthead understands that most of the threats were directed at crew members who had confronted the youths about their on-board behaviour.

“On January 22, the 4.30pm Manly Fast Ferry service from Manly to Circular Quay had to return to Manly shortly after departure due to threatening and dangerous behaviour by a small group of passengers on board,” a Manly Fast Ferry spokesman confirmed.

“The behaviour left staff with no alternative but to return to the wharf to ensure the safety and protection of passengers and staff.

A passenger said the youths were “out of control”. Picture: Manly Fast Ferry

“Police were also called and met the vessel on arrival at Manly.

“While we regret the inconvenience, customer safety is our number one priority and we thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.”

The latest disturbing incident comes two weeks after police were called to an unrelated wild night time brawl, involving about 40 teenagers and young adults, near Manly Wharf on January 6.

Police found a knife on the ground.

A brawl of approximately 40 teens broke out at Manly Wharf on January 6. Picture: Manly Observer.com.au

A man, 18, from western Sydney, and a 15-year-old boy, have been charged with riot, affray and assault.

In the wake of the brawl, Northern Beaches Police set up Strike Force Crookhaven to investigate the incident, which included a boy, 13, being barricaded in the Fratelli Fresh restaurant by members of the public after he was bashed and chased by a gang of youths.

A police spokesman said no charges were laid.