The Nepean Belle paddlewheeler has been a staple on the Nepean River for over four decades, now she officially has a new captain.
The Belle was first launched in October 1982 and was run by the Wakeling family for 32 years before local residents Chris and Carol Bennett took over the operations in 2013.
Chris had worked on the Belle since she had first started operating before becoming its beloved captain for the past 12 years.
Now, as Captain Chris takes a step back to spend more time with his family, 24-year-old Liam Carter has been handed the wheel as the new Captain of the Belle.
“It’s absolutely amazing to be given this opportunity,” Carter said.
“It’s a lot harder to get opportunities like this especially out west, there’s not many Captain-related jobs.
“They’re all on the coast, so I’m fortunate that I live out here and I’m lucky to have this position.”
Carter began his maritime career on the Belle in 2019 under the mentorship of Captain Chris.
“Originally, I was a Deckhand and washing the plates,” Carter said.
“Through the next six years I slowly worked my way up with Chris and Carol by my side. They offered me this opportunity, and I took it!”
Captain Chris has seen Carter grow over the past six years and has given him his complete trust to take over the Belle.
“When I first met him, he couldn’t tie his shoes laces together! He didn’t have his licence either, I used to drive him home because he lives near us,” Chris laughed.
“We had a few problems in the early days, and I tried to sack him five times! But by the time we got up to the car I’d say, ‘you’re not sacked, come back tomorrow’. That showed me a lot about his character.”
“Liam has got better every year. He drives the boat really well; his customer service is great. He has certainly matured into a good young man.”
Carter reflected on his past six years aboard the Belle, thanking Captain Chris for his tough-love-style mentorship.
“He’s been really good as a mentor. He’s a rough one!” Carter said.
“If you do something wrong, you’ll know it but then that’s that, he’ll move on. If you do something good, you’ll know it as well.
“He’s old school.
“You know when you’ve screwed up and you know when you have done something right and I think it’s been good for me.”
For Captain Liam there is nothing like being out on his beloved Nepean River.
“I love being out on the river, it’s so beautiful,” he said.
“The average trip we go on, there is always something different, there’s always wildlife jumping around. It’s magical.”
Captain Chris will still be seen aboard the Belle, but Captain Liam has been given the wheel.
To learn more about the Belle or to book a cruise, visit http://www.nepeanbelle.com.au.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.