Boating in crocodile habitat areas
Be vigilant while boating in crocodile habitat areas to reduce your risk of a crocodile attack.
- Always keeping your arms and legs inside the boat.
Never hang any part of your body out of the boat or over the edge of the boat.
- Use your boat as a barrier.
Keep your boat or trailer between yourself and the water while launching or loading and face the water whenever possible.
- Avoid using kayaks, paddleboards and other small craft in crocodile habitat areas.
The smaller the vessel, the greater the risk—crocodiles have taken people from small vessels.
If you're planning on taking the tinny out this weekend, here's a couple of do's and don'ts.
When you're checking the ramp for hazards, always spend some time checking for crocodiles on or near the ramp as well.
Always try and keep your feet dry. If you have to get wet, use your trailer as a safe zone.
If you have to do something at the back of your boat, take it out of the water first. Never walk around the back of the boat while it's still in the water.
Crocs are smart predators, never clean fish around boat ramps. If you do, crocs will soon learn that boats coming into the ramp mean fish frames will be on the menu.
Crocodiles are more active at night and during the breeding season from September to April. They use their long body and tail to herd fish into shallow water for a feed.
So stay well back from the water's edge or use well-lit boat ramps and carry a powerful torch.
And remember, never bring your boat within 10 metres of a crocodile in the wild, just in case.
Seeing a crocodile in the wild is an amazing experience. But remember, stay safe Be Crocwise in Croc Country.