File photo. Photo: 123RF
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."
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.
- This story was first published by the ABC.