Tourist recalls chaos as Crocodylus Park jumping croc boat takes on water in croc-infested waters

A Victorian tourist has told of the terrifying moment the jumping crocodile tour boat she was on started to fill with water. Read her story.

A Top End tourist’s worst nightmare came true when a popular jumping crocodile cruise boat started to sink in saltie-infested waters.

A boat load of visitors to Crocodylus Park, about 14km from the Darwin CBD, earlier this month were quickly turned around after their vessel started taking on water.

A Victorian tourist, who didn’t want to be named, said she noticed something wasn’t quite right when her belongings started to get wet.

“The back of the boat had roughly four inches of water so (the tour guide) instructed everyone to the front of the boat from there I felt quite uneasy as it didn’t seem to be part of the planned cruise,” she said.

“The lady running the cruise noticed this as well and dropped the feeding pole immediately and started driving the boat back to the dock.”

The tourist recalled that amid the chaos the boat ran into the side of the man-made river.

“I’m unsure how but the boat rammed into the bank and then there were crocodiles seen swimming towards the boat which was really scary,” she said.

She said earlier on the tour the group had been told the river was home to more than 40 saltwater crocodiles.

The river at Crocodylus Park is home to more than 40 crocodiles, including ones over 5-metres. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

A spokeswoman for Crocodylus Park said this was the first time an incident like this had happened and action was swiftly taken to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.

“The boat held some additional water from hosing and cleaning, which was not yet pumped out by the bilge pumps,” she said.

“Due to a full boat, the water was seeping in through the back.
“Our guide moved the weight of customers to the front of the boat while turning on the bilge pumps, and got our visitors back to the boat ramp immediately.

“The boat was pulled from the water for examination, once deemed safe it went back into the water.”

The spokeswoman said both the boat and guides were equipped with the latest in safety equipment and knowledge.

Anthony Albanese visits Crocodylus park and attends a jumping crocodile tour. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“Our boat is fitted with an excess amount of flotation foam, and requires routine inspections by officials, this foam is designed to never let the boat sink,” she said.

“The guides have detailed training and risk assessments, including our safety manual which has been drawn up by marine safety consultants.”

The tourist said it was an introduction to the Territory she would never forget.

“I checked my heart rate on my watch and it was 108 which is very above average and

I was actually quite scared and fearful about what could of happened if the boat took on more water,” she said.

“But the lady did a really good job to get us back as quick and safely as possible and I was very very relieved to be on land again.”