Mud Crab sets off from Mandorah to Mindil Beach in Darwin Harbour crossing record attempt

A team of Darwin daredevils has set off in their trusty bright orange LandCruiser in their quest to set a record for fastest – and only – underwater harbour drive.

A team of Darwin daredevils has begun an attempt to set a new world record in their trusty LandCruiser after setting off from Mandorah to Mindil Beach.

Rather than taking the 120km scenic route, the team decided to take a crafty shortcut, steering the bright orange Mud Crab onto the beach and straight into Darwin Harbour.

If they make it to the other side, the 8km trip will set a record for the longest and deepest underwater drive.

Mechanic/diver/driver Taylor Smith was behind the wheel as the Mud Crab sank into the briny deep just after 9am on Saturday, saying he was “absolutely pumped” to get under way.

Mr Smith said he was “absolutely, 100 per cent” confident of smashing the record without getting stuck or running into any of the harbour’s notoriously prickly wildlife.

“I’m not worried about any of that sort of stuff, I’m pretty sure a bright orange car coming towards a shark or a croc that they’ve never seen before — they aren’t going to be hanging around at all, they’re going to be taking off in the other direction,” he said.

Beside him in the passenger seat was engineer Luke Purdy, who said regardless of whether a new record was set, the project had been “an amazing effort, so in my mind it’s already a total success”.

“It’s a little bit surreal to be fair, it’s been a long road, we kind of put this whole project together in about six months, which is pretty fast I think for the scope of what we’ve had to do,” he said.

“To actually be here after so much work and effort from so many people in the team, it’s a really good feeling.”

Oceantec managing director Mathew Mitchell, who joined the team about a year ago, said the idea that started around “a camp fire with a couple of beers” was inspired by a previous attempt, which only made it about half way in 1983.

“This is like an urban myth in Darwin when they did this 40 years ago and I grew up listening to stories and it almost faded into mythology,” he said.

“So to do it again and hopefully succeed, it sort of cements that as a real thing and it showcases the capability, that we can actually do things in Darwin.”

Mr Mitchell said the record attempt would involve up to 50 driver changes over the 8km, with some descending up to 30m and the team due to hit Mindil Beach some time on Saturday evening.

Oceantec managing director Mathew Mitchell. Picture: Jason Walls

Commercial diver and mechatronic engineering student Finn Davy behind the wheel of the Mud Crab. Picture: Jason Walls

Commercial diver and mechatronic engineering student Finn Davy. Picture: Jason Walls

Engineer Luke Purdy. Picture: Jason Walls

The team does some last minute tinkering. Picture: Jason Walls

Mechanic Taylor Smith and engineer Luke Purdy behind the wheel of the Mud Crab. Picture: Jason Walls

Electrician Glen Summers. Picture: Jason Walls

The Mud Crab is a customised LandCruiser that will be used to attempt a world record by driving underwater from Mandorah to Darwin. Picture: Jason Walls

Luke Purdy and Taylor Smith check over their diving equipment before heading off. Picture: Jason Walls

The Mud Crab is a customised LandCruiser that will be used to attempt a world record by driving underwater from Mandorah to Darwin. Picture: Jason Walls

Mechanic Taylor Smith. Picture: Jason Walls

Mechanic Taylor Smith helps engineer Luke Purdy get ready to take the wheel of the Mud Crab. Picture: Jason Walls