Deckhands allegedly swam through crocodile-infested waters to escape being tortured, with police charging a Karumba man with 46 offences including assault and slavery. Queensland Police Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said deckhands on board the man’s vessel were allegedly abused and assaulted and had food and water withheld. “They unfortunately worked without wages, they were forced to sleep on the open deck of the boat,” he said. “And some of those complainants were in such fear of their lives and wellbeing that they actually dived from those boats and swam through crocodile and shark inhabited waters to the mainland to get off the boat.” The police investigation, known as Operation Victor Diabelli, was launched in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria in 2023. ( Supplied: Queensland police ) Acting Inspector Chetham said police would allege there were five male victims and one 25-year-old female victim. “We are alleging they were certainly exploited and manipulated and, in some cases, physically assaulted by this individual,” he said. “Young people working on those boats, trying to earn a living… we’re alleging the conditions were terrible for them.” The alleged victims were all from the Cape York area where the man had several boats. Police believe there may be other victims and have urged them to come forward. Police said an illegal firearm was also found on board one of the man’s vessels. The man was charged with 31 assault charges, five counts each of torture and slavery and one count of stealing. The police investigation, known as Operation Victor Diabelli, was launched in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria in 2023. The man is in custody and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9. Live Moment Look back at how readers and other Australians responded to this live moment. Live moment closed Police say there was allegedly physical and emotional abuse occurring Wed 17 Jan at 1:18am Wednesday 17 Jan at 1:18am Wed 17 Jan 2024 at 1:18am Acting Inspector Chetham says the details of what exactly occurred on the boat would come out in court. He’s due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9. That’s where we’ll leave our live coverage of this press conference. React React Share Copy link Police allege victims were ‘very vulnerable’ Wed 17 Jan at 1:15am Wednesday 17 Jan at 1:15am Wed 17 Jan 2024 at 1:15am Acting Inspector Chetham says the victims allegedly took ‘drastic steps’ to escape. “Once you get out on the boat, there’s not many options about what to do, and as I said some took very drastic steps,” he says. “He’s a   large individual, and he’s the skipper of the boat so that comes with a great deal of authority and their employer, so I would suggest they were very vulnerable.” He says the boats would have been out on the water for weeks at a time. React React Share Copy link The alleged offences happened over four years Wed 17 Jan at 1:12am Wednesday 17 Jan at 1:12am Wed 17 Jan 2024 at 1:12am Acting Inspector Chetham says a person came forward, which kicked off the police investigation. Police allege the offences occurred from 2020-2023. React React Share Copy link Show more posts Wondering what this is? Join us next time we’re live and be part of the discussion. Remind Me