Boat retrieval at Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.
On Monday 8th December, there was some excitement at Nitmiluk as a team of Rangers slung their 3rd gorge/2nd gorge boats and the 2nd gorge croc trap into the first gorge, in preparation for the anticipated river rises associated with the wet season. North Australian Helicopters brought their Bell ‘Jet Ranger’ and a number of their pilots for the job and all went smoothly, except for the second gorge boat which was swum across the last part of the gorge crossover by Rangers James Gorman and Natalie Chester. Due to the humidity and lack of breeze, the helicopter could not obtain enough forward thrust to safely sling the boat across; James and Natalie did not mind the swim though as it was a very warm day. Both boats and trap were then towed to the boat ramp, to be stored away for the wet season. This is just the beginning of the wet season preparations that Nitmiluk rangers will undertake, other works include the removal of handrails to higher ground and the removal and storage of swim/ boat pontoons. All equipment is subsequently checked over and any repairs/maintenance undertaken, ready once again for the dry season in 2015.
Boat retrieval at Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.
On Monday 8th December, there was some excitement at Nitmiluk as a team of Rangers slung their 3rd gorge/2nd gorge boats and the 2nd gorge croc trap into the first gorge, in preparation for the anticipated river rises associated with the wet season. North Australian Helicopters brought their Bell ‘Jet Ranger’ and a number of their pilots for the job and all went smoothly, except for the second gorge boat which was swum across the last part of the gorge crossover by Rangers James Gorman and Natalie Chester. Due to the humidity and lack of breeze, the helicopter could not obtain enough forward thrust to safely sling the boat across; James and Natalie did not mind the swim though as it was a very warm day. Both boats and trap were then towed to the boat ramp, to be stored away for the wet season. This is just the beginning of the wet season preparations that Nitmiluk rangers will undertake, other works include the removal of handrails to higher ground and the removal and storage of swim/ boat pontoons. All equipment is subsequently checked over and any repairs/maintenance undertaken, ready once again for the dry season in 2015.