Water Rats poster

TV series

Water Rats

1996TV-PG6 seasons6.2 / 10

Water Rats is an Australian TV police procedural broadcast on the Nine Network from 1996 to 2001.

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Checked Sep 3, 2026

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Synopsis

Water Rats is an Australian TV police procedural broadcast on the Nine Network from 1996 to 2001.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Dead in the Water (1)

45m

The Sydney Water Police investigate a fatal bombing on a charter ferry while trying to locate other explosive devices that may still be located in the harbour. The Nemesis crew scrambles to recapture a murder suspect who escapes custody. Kevin Holloway, Frank's younger brother, joins Homicide and is partnered with Frank's good friend Knocker Harrison. A man claiming to have the missing bomb takes hostages on a passenger ferry. Frank and Rachel stake out a yacht to catch a scantily clad burglar. A diver dismissed from duty dives the site of the ferry wreck to locate the fourth bomb in order to eliminate the hijackers threat. Frank's older brother Jimmy is released from prison two years after Frank put him away as part of a drug bust.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim BurstallWritten by Tony MorphettGuest stars Lex Marinos, Bryan Marshall, Anja Coleby, Kelly Butler, Patsy Stephen, Jinny McCallister, Andrew Lewis, Peter Heath

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Episode 2

Dead in the Water (2)

47m

A charter boat with children on board explodes. The water police speed to the rescue, but are too late to save a 13-year-old girl. The hunt is on for the arsonist responsible.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim BurstallWritten by Tony MorphettGuest stars Lex Marinos, Bryan Marshall, Don Atkinson, William Zappa, Jacqueline Linke, Alan David Lee, Pat Hutchinson, Peter Hehir

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Episode 3

Ghost Ship

44m

An abandoned ship arrives in Sydney waters from Thailand. It's a Marie Celeste-style mystery - except for a dog on board, some scorched bones and a heap of ashy remains.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Anne BrooksbankGuest stars Bryan Marshall, John Walton, Stewart Armstrong, Arthur Brigg, David Downer, Pamela Drysdale, Julie Fuad, Douglas 'Rocky' McDonald

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Episode 4

Iron Man

45m

Tonight Goldie and Frank are looking for the Iron Man's murderer. the body of a champion Iron Man is found dead. The forensic examiner says he died of a heart attack, his body full of steroids. Frank's younger brother Kevin Holloway (Jeremy Callaghan) and ""Knocker"" Harrison :sists Goldie and Frank on the investigation. Meanwhile, a rich businessman is arrested by the ""Nemesis"" crew for being drunk while in charge of a motor launch with a party of Koreans on board. Helen's former lover, Julie Haynes, pays Helen an unexpected visit and asks Helen for a favour.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Peter GawlerGuest stars Ryan Kwanten, Helen Scott, Rod Taylor, Bruce Barry, Christopher Tomkinson, James Roden, Jan Ringrose, Martin Raphael

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Episode 5

Catch and Kill

45m

A load of Scotch has been stolen from the wharves and a night watchman killed. Tommy's father is embroiled in a row with a rival fishing family. The water police investigate the death of a recreational diver and assume it was an accident, while the insurance company claims it was suicide.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Denise MorganGuest stars Tom Appleton, Reilly Baker, Eleni Batley, Alan Cinis, Annie Davis-McCubbin, Jose Element, Harold Hopkins, Christy McNicol

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Episode 6

Lie Down with Dogs

45m

Billy Pope's girlfriend is found murdered on the eve of giving evidence in a enquiry into police corruption. It's payback time for the Rispoli family whose lives were cut by the police.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Anne BrooksbankGuest stars Chris Baz, Michael Burgess, May Howlett, Matthew John, Tony Poli, John Samaha, Sal Sharah, Gypsy Dorney

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Episode 7

V.I.P.

44m

A Vietnamese family are the victims of a robbery and their son has been kidnapped. The search for the kidnappers is complicated by the fact that the US President is visiting Sydney and the Water Police are on full security alert

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Tony MorphettGuest stars Bree Bain, Li Yang, Josephine Byrnes, Kevin Copeland, Andrew Fennessey, Glenn Hoare, Grace Parr, Leo Roldan

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Episode 8

The Shaft

44m

Holloway is caught on film collecting an envelope containing a large amount of money that has been left in a waterfront warehouse. Internal Affairs accuse him of taking a bribe but Holloway explains that somebody has been leaving him envelopes all over town with tip-offs inside. This is the first time there has been money.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Tony MorphettGuest stars Bryan Marshall, Dominic Bianco, Peter Carroll, Gypsy Dorney, Richard Healy, Jamie Jackson, Helene Joy, Jack Mayers

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Episode 9

Death in the Family

45m

Rachel Goldstein and Frank Holloway investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl they believe has been murdered by her father. However, it is a race against time to find enough evidence to stop the man from leaving the country. Meanwhile the wife of the man who interviwed Clarke Webb on radio goes missing.

Episode credits

Directed by Richard SarellWritten by Denise MorganGuest stars Alexander Petersons, George Alexander, Elizabeth Baker, Sandra Best, Lawrence Carmichael, Kate Champion, Rowan Cudmore, Giordano Gangl

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Episode 10

Goldstein and Son

44m

The woman whose boyfriend Goldstein shot dead is released from jail on parole and keeps turning up wherever Goldie happens to be. The boat crew takes too long to bring diving equipment to a sunken cruiser and two men are found dead.

Episode credits

Directed by Richard SarellWritten by Denise MorganGuest stars Pippa Grandison, Geoff Bartlett, Kathryn Dunn, Alan Flower, Kenny Graham, Robert Lancaster, Betty Lucas, Natalie Page

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Episode 11

Kilo Hotel

44m

Kevin Holloway's car is found still with the keys in the ignition at The Gap - a notorious suicide spot. Meanwhile Goldie is served with court papers seeking to cut off all access to her son David.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Anne BrooksbankGuest stars John Andrews, Rudi Baker, Felix Biviano, Roger Chauncy, Leon Ford, Jennifer Hardy, Kim Knuckey, Henry Koui

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Episode 12

The Jigsaw Man

44m

As Chief Inspector Webb and Knocker Harrison continue investigating Kevin Holloway's disappearance, Frank is angry he ever allowed himself to believe his brother may have suicided. There's a grim discovery in the harbour of a number of body parts. Jeff Hawker doesn't like the relationship between Cassidy and Watson, and offers Cassidy a job as supporting officer, on the condition that she ends her relationship with Watson.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Anne BrooksbankGuest stars Craig Ashley, Jeremy Callaghan, Amanda Dettrick, Les Foxcroft, Tyson McConkey, Lindsay McCormack, Steve Rodgers, Aisha Scheerer

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Episode 13

Bang Bang You're Dead

44m

Frank and Goldie are whisked to a warehouse being used in the ongoing investigation into Kevin Holloway's disappearance. Goldie, Frank, Knocker and Brady search Pappas boat for narcotics. They suspect Pappas is involved in Kevin Holloway's disappearance. The boat crew accompany the Sheriff to a cargo ship that has docked.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Peter GawlerGuest stars Brandon Burke, Meg Clancy, Wadih Dona, Andrew S. Gilbert, Richard Healy, Douglas Hedge, Simon Mills, Gianfranco Negroponte

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Episode 14

Black Water

1h

The body of a teenage boy is found in the boot of a car. There are similarities between this murder and that of another boy 13 months earlier. Holloway makes it his personal quest to find the killer, and he meets a beautiful crime scene officer, Caroline Cox (Mary Regan). Goldie has been denied access to her son, David, for six months, and she does everything to get to see him. Gavin Sykes (Brett Partridge) investigates a boat accident.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Peter GawlerGuest stars Kristen Boys, Sally Cahill, David Franklin, Anthony Ingersent, Jan Langford Penny, John Mason, Sean McKenzie, Ji Ming

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Episode 15

Eyewitness

1h

A man is killed when a speed boat is deliberately driven into the back of his vessel. A friend who was with him at the time identifies the person responsible as a well-known crime figure and an old enemy of Frank's: Marty Miller (Peter Kowitz). Sykes takes part in a training course for police divers. Goldie and Knocker seem to get along very well, and a vietnamese cleaner, Thong, is found dead at the Water Police headquarter.

Episode credits

Directed by Scott Hartford-DavisWritten by Sue HoreGuest stars Joel Edgerton, Pat Bishop, Fatt Bob, Geoff Cartwright, Helen Dallimore, Casey Huang, Patrick Thompson, Skye Wansey

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Episode 16

Payback

1h

A hostage is taken and there is a high speed car chase : Marty Miller makes a final stand against Holloway. Internal Affairs suspects Helen of selling information that led to an elderly woman's death. The accusations against Helen makes things bad between her and her lover Anne Harvey

Episode credits

Directed by Scott Hartford-DavisWritten by Sue HoreGuest stars Colin Borgonon, Marina Finlay, Mark Goodwin, Steven Grives, Richard Healy, Phillip Holder, Peter Kowitz, Barry McMahon

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Episode 17

Old Flame

1h

Frank is rushed to hospital after he is shot in an armed hold up. Chief Inspector Clarke Webb meets an old flame, Moira who gives interesting information about the robbers. John Harrison confronts Goldie's ex-husband about giving Goldie access to her son. Jeff Hawker investigates a boat accident.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Anthony EllisGuest stars George Catsi, Lynn Dalby, Matt Day, Sean Dibben, Nash Edgerton, Paul Epriesi, Traci Griffiths, Steven Grives

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Episode 18

Bad Blood

1h

Dave McCall is sympathetic towards the wife of a suspected serial murderer...until Knocker gets proof that she was involved. Goldie tries to help a man found covered with blood hiding in a warehouse, only to find out he'll talk to no one but Holloway, who is still on sick leave.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Dave WorthingtonGuest stars Frank Austin, Tony Byrne, Anthony Cogin, Peter Harvey-Wright, Sacha Horler, Mark Hudson, Kate McKnight, Sarah Peirse

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Episode 19

Floater

1h

Inspector Webb is slow in coming forward with information on the death of Moira Randall as he doesn't want his affair with her uncovered. The Nemesis crew is kept busy by a group of drunken university students on Shark Island. Hawker tells Helen that he will apply for the post as Chief Inspector if Webb has to leave. He's surprised when Helen says she also will apply for it.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Denise MorganGuest stars Yigal Babluki, Michael Beckley, Blazey Best, Liz Burch, Brendan Donoghue, Simon Elrahi, Jodi Matterson, Angela McGrath

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Episode 20

Missing

1h

Harrison and the divers are called in when the body of a boy is found in similar circumstances to the other murdered teens. The detectives wonder if they arrested the wrong man.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Peter GawlerGuest stars Ian Bliss, Lloyd Darling, David Franklin, Julie Hudspeth, Celia Ireland, Coral McGee, Nellie McQuinn, Damian Monk

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Episode 21

Police Issue 13519

1h

Holloway finds a new lead on Kevin's murder after a young robber is caught with Kevin's missing gun.

Episode credits

Directed by Scott Hartford-DavisWritten by Anne BrooksbankGuest stars Craig Ashley, Keith Buckley, Angelo D'Angelo, Jamie Happell, Joy Smithers, Danny Celoni, Marilynne Paspaley, Enrico Babic

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Episode 22

Unfinished Business

1h

Chris Kollias, the man Frank suspects of knowing more about his brother's death than he's saying, goes missing. It seems Frank will be forced to give up trying to find out what really happened the night his brother was forced over The Gap.

Episode credits

Directed by Scott Hartford-DavisWritten by Sue HoreGuest stars Manu Bennett, Scott Major, Danny Celoni, Tamara Cook, Michelle Dyer, Bob Ellis, Kim Hillas, David Hoey

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Episode 23

Respect

1h

Detectives discover two people who died of carbon monoxide poisoning, they suspect a connection to the activities of Asian gangs. Frank and Rachel gets help from an Asian crime specialist from Task Force Oak. Rachel and Knocker announce their engagement.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Peter GawlerGuest stars Kee Chan, Felino Dolloso, Xuan Mai, Michael Parlato, Rose Semsarian, Sky Tse, Michael Withall, Mi Lei Zhen

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Episode 24

Wrecked

1h

Attending a bushfire at a coastal national park, the Nemesis crew notice bloodied tracks in the sand and find a man digging a body in a shallow grave. Harrison is called in to negotiate with a potential suicide. Frank and Brady investigates Harrison. Brady believes Harrison has something to do with the death of Kevin Holloway.

Episode credits

Directed by Mark PiperWritten by Tony MorphettGuest stars Helen Buday, Heather Coady, Tony Giuffre, Chris Haywood, Gillian Hyde, Mark Lee, Sean O'Shea, Ed Roundtree

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Episode 25

Message from the Dead

1h

When Megan, an anonymous witness to Kevin's death is killed, Brady and Holloway search for other people who may have seen what happened. Meanwhile, Goldie and Knocker investigate a murder in a park. The Nemesis crew have to supervise a photo shoot for a world-famous model

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Michaeley O'BrienGuest stars Peter Astridge, John Gilson, Donna Gubbay, Jennifer Hardy, Matthew Long, Duncan Piney, Bronte Pulman, Tom Richards

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Episode 26

Knocker

1hfinale

Knocker is finally caught in his own deadly web. Frank informs Goldie of Knocker's involvement in Kevin's death but she refuses to believe him until Brady shows her the evidence.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris Martin-JonesWritten by Michaeley O'BrienGuest stars Enrico Babic, Jenny Apostolou, Barbara Baker, Danielle Baker, Geoff Bartlett, Chris Castle, Jennifer Hardy, Peter Mochrie

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Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026

More about Water Rats

Cast

Peter BensleyJeff Hawker
Toni ScanlanHelen Blakemore
Raelee HillTayler Johnson
Catherine McClementsRachel Goldstein
Jay Laga'aiaTommy Tavita
Scott BurgessDave McCall
Colin FrielsFrank Holloway
Aaron JefferySenior Constable Terry Watson

Credits

Created by
Tony Morphett
Written by
Tony Morphett, Peter Gawler, Denise Morgan, Anne Brooksbank, Deborah Parsons, John Banas, Tim Pye, Andrew Kelly, David Phillips, Michael Miller, Peter Neale, Margaret Wilson

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
177
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • Nine NetworkAustralia
  • Nine Network AustraliaAustralia
  • Southern StarAustralia

Themes

australiamaritimepolice