Port Hinchinbrook: Saltwater crocodile targets boatie at Cardwell marina

Authorities are hunting a potential man-eater after a monster saltwater crocodile missed its intended victim by “inches” at a North Queensland marina.

Dean Grieve, owner of the Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach, was attacked by a saltwater crocodile at Port Hinchinbrook, Cardwell, on Friday. Picture: Cameron Bates

Authorities are hunting a potential man-eater after a monster saltwater crocodile missed its intended victim by “inches” at a North Queensland marina.

The four-metre saltie, also known as an estuarine crocodile, is well known at Port Hinchinbrook in Cardwell north of Townsville and is believed responsible for a number of recent encounters with humans as well as the disappearance of a beloved pet dog.

Carla Grieve, owner of the Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach, said husband Dean was at the back of his two-storey, 14-metre houseboat at Cardwell at 5pm on Friday.

Mrs Grieve said Dean slipped on a hose, grabbing a rail next to the entrance gate to prevent himself from falling into the water.

“At that second … this croc has launched half-a-metre out of the water and actually gone for him and luckily he’s already grabbed on to something and pulled himself away,” she said.

“He was actually just inches away from being bloody taken by a crocodile off our boat.”

Carla and Dean Grieve, owners of the Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach. Picture: Supplied

She said her husband was an experienced boatie and extremely “croc-wise”.

“It did shock him that he was laying right next to the boat just waiting,” she said.

Adored miniature foxy-cross Chili was likely taken by the same saltwater crocodile that targeted Dean Grieve at Port Hinchinbrook, Cardwell, on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Grieve said it was not their first encounter with the at least four-metre long animal, who was probably responsible for taking adored miniature foxy-cross Chilli two weeks ago and was likely stalking their second pet dog, Sloki.

She said the crocodile was probably entering the marina through One Mile Creek during high tide and making a beeline for the houseboat each day.

A saltwater crocodile, also known as an estuarine crocodile, bathing on the banks of Palm Creek just outside the town of Ingham in North Queensland. The animal is more than four-metres long. Picture: Cameron Bates

She said the couple were already concerned about the presence of the crocodile as they believed it was residing underneath the houseboat and potentially targeting their second pet, Sloki.

“Dean had really been noticing the crocodile for about four days and was telling everyone, ‘always be careful’.”

Carla and Dean Grieve, owners of the Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach. Picture: Supplied

Ms Grieve said that even after the croc’s attempt to take her husband, it had only retreated as far as the channel but was now again living under the houseboat.

She said wildlife officers from the Department of Science and Innovation had been “absolutely fantastic” in responding to the attack.

Dean Grieve, owner of the Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach, was attacked by a saltwater crocodile at Port Hinchinbrook, Cardwell, on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Grieve said DESI had interviewed a number of other locals who had reported encounters with the saltie.

“We are just waiting to see what they will actually do about removing the croc; we haven’t heard yet.”

DESI have been contacted for comment.

Ms Grieve said she was well aware of the risks associated with saltwater crocodiles in North Queensland, saying experienced Cairns yachtie Andrew Heard, killed in an attack on Hinchinbrook Island in early 2021, was a former customer.

“We’re obviously very worried because there are always kids and people fishing and boating on their pontoons and on their boats … and that’s obviously a big concern for our safety.”

Originally published as Port Hinchinbrook: Saltwater crocodile targets boatie at Cardwell marina