Kimberley cruise industry veteran issues stark safety warning on over crowding in WA northern waters

A Kimberley cruise industry veteran has raised the warning flag over the influx of new cruise ships to the Kimberley, saying it had the potential to overcrowd local waters and cause serious safety issues. With cruise ship COVID restrictions scrapped earlier this year, the Kimberley has seen a slate of new cruises prepare to enter its waters with the first large cruise ship to return to WA, the Coral Princess, anchoring in Broome on October 25. There has been a 23 per cent increases in the number of cruise ships docking at Broome Port from pre-COVID levels with 204 ships in the 2021-22 financial year compared to 166 in FY18-19. Having operated cruises in the Kimberley for 29 years, Coral Expeditions commercial director Jeff Gillies said the unprecedented number of new vessels coming to the Kimberley could cause a range of safety issues. “We have already started to see issues arise in the past year with only a few new ships,” he said. With the Kimberley boasting the second largest tides in the world Mr Gillies said foreign cruise ships may not be prepared for the conditions of WA’s Northern waters. “These waters require experienced masters with pilot exemptions or a pilot onboard, as much of the region is not well charted and is a high risk marine region with swift water movement,” he said. “Rapid tides, limited marine charts, hidden reefs, dangerous marine animals, heat, lack of infrastructure for walking, lack of remote medical access, all point to the fact that only the most proficient and well-versed operators should be permitted in the area. “Most new entrants will recruit one or two expedition guides as proof of their expertise, but this is insufficient for safe operations and any serious incident would have immense damage on the destination’s reputation.” Cruise Broome chair and recently appointed Australian Cruise Association committee member Shayne Murray said major players in the industry were aware of the concerns and will be working to make sure cruises in the region were well regulated. “Everybody in the industry is aware of it,” he said. “This is the busiest cruise season that the Kimberley has ever had and the 2023 and 2024 season is going to be busy again. “There needs to be some regulation around who comes in.” While safety was the main issue Mr Gillies said customer experience could also suffer from overcrowding like in other popular cruising locations such as the Alaska, the Antarctic, Fiordlands and the Galapagos Islands. “There is some commentary that the Kimberley is a vast area and many ships can spread out but this is far from the truth,” he said. “As an example, the Horizontal Falls is at capacity with two ships and the local day trip operators so it will most certainly not be able to safely take any more vessels.” It comes after a man lost his life after a fall at Prince Regent National Park while on a cruise on November 3.