Sea World responds to media scrutiny over ride stoppages

Following 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).