Parks and Wildlife Minister Bess Price was in town on June 19 to launch the new boat that rangers will use to patrol local waterways and said it was scheduled to replace one that has been in service for more than a decade.

“Crocodile management in Katherine is an important role for the rangers to be able to successfully undertake,” she explained.

“The current boat and motor are over 12 years old, beyond economical repair and not of a size that copes well with larger animals, so the new boat will make it safer for rangers to do their job.”

Parks and Wildlife Commission NT senior ranger John Burke said that the new boat  – which has a much larger outboard motor than the existing vessel – would give the crocodile management team greater capability.

“We have a 75-horsepower motor, therefore, we have greater manoeuvrability and power when working in the tidal rivers  within the region,” he said.

“Effectively, the new boat can be utilised for harpooning larger crocs that we have previously taken on, along with moving the croc traps around the larger river systems.”

Mrs Price said that, in order to suitably celebrate the new boat, Katherinites had an opportunity to come up with a creative name to adorn its hull.

“A boat that plays such an important role in assisting to make the region safer deserves a good, strong name, which is where the public comes in,” she said.

“The winning name will be printed on the side of the specially-customised boat and displayed at the Katherine Show.

“The winner will get to ride in the boat with ... rangers while they look for crocodiles.”

Only Katherine residents are eligible to enter the competition, with entries set to close on July 3.

To enter, go to parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au.