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read moreFollowing media coverage of a stoppage to one of its rides, Gold Coast theme park Sea World has taken to social media to explain how it deals with ride safety and maintenance issues.
The statement follows reports that riders were suspended in the air on Sea World’s tallest ride, the Trident, when it was momentarily stopped on Monday afternoon.
Media reports advised that the 42-metre high merry-go-round had a mid-ride, mid-air stoppage as a result of sensor being activated.
A Sea World spokesperson told the Gold Coast Bulletin that it was a “normal fault” advising that the activation of a ride sensor causing the minor stoppage.
Noting that ride stoppages occur due to environmental and weather factors such as rain, wind and heat, power surges, sensor adjustments and guest behaviour can all trigger halts to the ride, the spokesperson added “given it has so many sensors it could be any number of readings, so what we will do is inspect it all, clear those reading and open as normal.”
“Our ride will stop, and our operational and technician teams will inspect and clear it all and once its ready to re-operate it will re-open.”
With ride closures at theme and water parks generating significant interest in media and on social media, Sea World advised of the following on its Facebook page.
Learn More About Ride Stoppages:
We understand there is increased media focus on ride stoppages currently, and we’d like to provide information on today’s minor Trident stoppage along with background ride operation information without the sensationalism and click-bait headlines of the news media:
The Trident had a minor stoppage due to a ride sensor activation earlier today.
The ride safety systems did what it was designed to do, and all the guests on-board were safe and exited the ride as normal. The ride reopened after 12 minutes of downtime.
The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest priority and while we understand stoppages are frustrating for guests, they are proof the rides systems are doing what they are designed to do to keep them safe.
Ride stoppages are a part of regular operating procedures in theme parks around the world. Our team are highly trained to respond to these stoppages which generally occur due to environmental and weather factors such as rain, wind and heat, power surges, sensor adjustments and guest behaviour.
The combative style of the statement is consistent with past announcements by Village Roadshow Theme Parks Chief Operating Officer Bikash Randhawa.
Commenting on media organisations ‘ambulance chase’ incidents at the Gold Coast’s theme parks, Australasian Leisure Management Publisher, Nigel Benton stated “rides stop from time to time and theme parks need to ensure guest safety.
“If there was any incident where a guest was injured, media would pile on like a ton of bricks.
“Sea World and the other parks don't get a break.”
Images: Sea World's Trident (top) and its statement on ride stoppages (below).
3rd January 2024 - Gold Coast theme parks reopen again after severe weather events
2nd January 2024 - German experts commissioned by ATSB to join 2023 Sea World helicopter crash investigation
27th December 2023 - Gold coast storms prompts Boxing Day closure of Dreamworld and Movie World
4th December 2023 - Theme park innovator John Menzies named Gold Coast Business Excellence Hall of Famer
30th November 2023 - Sea World Foundation to host fourth annual Ocean Clean Up
20th October 2023 - Urgent appeal launched by Sea World Foundation to save Sea Turtles
20th October 2023 - Global attractions report shows theme parks, waterparks and museums heading towards full recovery
19th May 2023 - Sea World team conduct specialised training to prepare for whale strandings and entanglements
19th January 2023 - Guest action contributes to ride closures at Warner Bros. Movie World
2nd January 2023 - Four dead after mid-air collision involving Sea World helicopters
9th December 2022 - Guests disappointed as Sea World’s New Atlantis precinct closed just days after opening
2nd December 2022 - Opening of Leviathan wooden rollercoaster completes Sea World’s New Atlantis precinct
10th November 2022 - Village Roadshow announces 2nd December opening for Sea World’s new Leviathan and Trident rides
28th February 2022 - Media report suggests further delay to completion of Sea World’s new precinct
18th December 2021 - Protesters return to campaign against Sea World’s dolphins
30th October 2021 - Sea World marks 50th anniversary
21st October 2021 - Opening of Sea World’s new wooden rollercoaster delayed until Easter 2022
21st December 2020 - Sea World’s New Atlantis precinct launches with opening of the Vortex
8th December 2020 - Village Roadshow reveals new imagery for Sea World’s New Atlantis Precinct
11th September 2019 - Village Roadshow Theme Parks reveal schedule for opening of new Sea World attractions
16th April 2017 - Consulting engineer rebuts Australian Women’s Weekly ride safety ‘investigation’
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