Wave to the camera: Huge swell of water crashes into Sydney ferry

This is the terrifying moment a huge swell of water crashed into a ferry – and it caught on camera by a deckhand.

Fast-fingered Haig Gilchrist was working on the Manly ferry in Sydney Harbour, Australia, when a massive wave threatened to swamp the boat.

The deckhand and amateur photographer managed to capture the precise moment the wave rose up to meet the ferry.

The image, posted on his Instagram page, has been shared across the internet.

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He took the picture on the commuter ferry during rough waters in Sydney Harbour at the weekend.

In his caption on Instagram, he wrote: ‘East Coast Low intensifying.’

He later followed it up with a comment: ‘Great day to be working.’

In another photo posted by Mr Gilchrist of the high waters, the ferry is almost submerged by crashing waves.

The waves were the result of an unpredictable low pressure weather system that swept through the state of New South Wales.

Waves reached heights of three or four metres in some areas close to Sydney.

Mr Gilchrist regularly posts wild weather images from the ferry’s trips on his Instagram page.

He was on board the vessel called ‘Freshwater’ when the waves crashed into it on Saturday.

The Manly Ferry runs from Circular Quay close to the Sydney Opera House, to the seaside suburb of Manly.

The ferry service completed its journey without incident, despite the large waves.