PASSENGERS were enjoying their wine and food on a Captain Cook ferry tour in the Swan Valley this afternoon when high water levels at the Bayswater Paddlesports Club prevented the boat from going under the Garrett Road Bridge, resulting in them having to continue their journey by bus.
Captain Cook Cruises’ Perth Famous Cruise Relax tour departed Perth at 9.45am and travelled up the Swan River.
During the cruise, passengers were dropped off at Sandalford Estate in Caversham.
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READ NOWThe boat went through the river near Milne Street in Bayswater but could not fit under the Garrett Road bridge due to the high water levels.
It was meant to arrive back to Perth at 5pm.
Community Newspaper Group photographer Bruce Hunt said he saw the cruise at the Bayswater Paddlesports Club while he was on a bike ride about 1.45pm today
“When I first went out, I saw it in the middle of the river and it was stationary, close to the bridge,” he said.
“When I came back from the ride, it was chained up at the jetty.
“I rode up the jetty and spoke to one of the crew members and she said they left the passengers at Sandalford and motored down the river and the bridge to see whether they could get under before they pick the passengers up.
“But when they realised they couldn’t, they sent the passengers by bus.”
SeaLink WA general manager Andrew Lane said boats could not get under Garratt Road about once a month.
“We sometimes transfer our passengers by bus either to Sandalford or from the jetty to the city, depending on which way the boat is coming,” he said.
“It is only in the event due to tidal reasons, it (the boat) can’t get under the bridge because of height restrictions.
“I would say it may happen once a month at most but obviously in times of heavy rain, it happens more frequently.”
Mr Lane said passengers were happy to have a great day whether it be on a boat or a bus.
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