2 days ago
Silversea luxury cruise passengers stranded near fragile island off northern WA
A tour operator has rescued dozens of its luxury cruise guests stranded on an atoll off northern WA's Kimberley coast.
The Silversea cruise passengers were exploring in small boats near Adele Island on Thursday when they were caught by the outgoing tide.
The Silver Cloud ship, which caters for 250 people and 200 crew, was four nautical miles (seven kilometres) from the passengers.
"What started as a fabulous trip across to Adele Island ended with all 100-odd passengers and staff getting caught by the rapid tide going out," passenger Mark David Reid posted on social media.
"We all had to get out and make our way across coral beds to make it to new zodiacs and get to the ship.
The Silver Cloud has 20 inflatable boats, which were used to ferry some passengers to safety.
Others had to wait hours in the small boats, in darkness, before the water rose enough to make it back.
Passenger Des Groves said he got back to the ship at 10pm yesterday.
"We saw lots of turtles though," he posted on social media.
Adele Island, renowned as an important bird nesting site, is a small, low-lying island 150km north of Cape Leveque.
Classified as an A-Class reserve, the island is accessible only with a permit from the WA Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and has visitor limits.
Phillip "Bibido" McCarthy, one of the traditional owners of the area, said it was important people were aware of large tidal fluctuations in the Kimberley.
"I even know of locals getting stuck," the Bardi Jawi ranger coordinator said.
"The Kimberley has got the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere, so you've got to be careful of what you're doing and be aware of your surroundings [and] the tides."
Mr McCarthy said the island was a sanctuary for nesting birds and turtles.
"You don't want hundreds of people walking on the island if there are birds nesting, [and] turtles out there as well," he said.
DBCA and Silversea have been contacted for comment.
