Dive HMAS Brisbane Report 30th June - 6th July 2010

Our instructor, Matt, reported that as he lay on the "Mag Deck" of the HMAS BRISBANE today, looking to the surface, he could read the rego numbers on the side of our dive boat 2EZY.

That's clear water!!!! 30 metres at a guess. What fantastic conditions we've had lately. The last couple of night dives on HMAS Brisbane have left divers raving. Clear water and flat seas are ideal for night diving and there's plenty to see as well. The life on the ship is just fantastic with plenty of both big and small critters to entertain the diver. One downer is the amount of fishing that is going on out there, seemingly unchecked.
Matt and one of our guests today released 2 fish that had been hooked up and then tangled in fishing line caught up on the wreck. On Sunday another one of our instructors, with some help, had to cut her way free of a huge entanglement of fishing line. It's becoming a joke and the state government is not doing a thing about it.

Last week both Paul and I attended the annual Oceanic Conference which was held here on the Sunny Coast. What a privilege it was to listen to the founder of Oceanic, Bob Hollis, who still oozes enthusiasm for diving and speaks of future plans and product ideas. Having time to spend with Bob and his team during the conference and over diner was really special. Then to have Bob and his son, Mike (Pelagic Pressure Systems, Oceanic computer wizz kid) along with Chauncey Campbell (Oceanic's rebreather wizz kid) come visit our dive store was something else. There's virtually nothing in diving that Bob Hollis hasn't done, he is truly a legend. Check out this for just what he's been involved in with Oceanic. It's just the tip of the iceberg.

The weather is still great at the moment and probably for the rest of the week but, you know what usually happens on weekends, well, it will possibly happen again this weekend going by early reports. But early reports can be and have been wrong so this is one that we are hoping is wrong. Already the high winds and swell predicted for Saturday and Sunday have been scaled back over the last 48 hours, so there's still hope for the weekend yet.

Dive Safe in 2010
Greg Riddell and the Sunreef Team
HMAS Brisbane dive specialists Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

Dive HMAS BRISBANE with Sunreef.

Dive HMAS Brisbane Report 10th June - 17th June 2010

A little chill in the air is easy to cope with when you are diving in visibility from 15 – 30 metres.

Water temperature is on 21C and with south westerlies being the predominant wind, there’s no swell. Winter diving is here. Just add a “Lavacore” hooded vest under your wetsuit. This is all that’s needed to make your winter diving comfortable during these next couple of months of cooler weather.

The HMAS BRISBANE is alive and well with heaps of marine life all over the wreck. The King Fish that manage to outwit or dodge the ever present illegal fisherman are great to watch as they stalk their prey. We’ve nick named them the “Brat Pack” as they taunt the bait fish from one end of the wreck to the other.

The Eagle rays and bull rays are so used to divers now, they are not fazed at all and actually swim up to divers for a closer look. For some weeks now it has been great to see a couple of Angler fish make the rear deck their home. Week by week more diverse life appears making the HMAS BRISBANE dive one not to be missed.

Dive Safe in 2010
Greg Riddell and the Sunreef Team
HMAS Brisbane dive specialists Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

Dive HMAS BRISBANE with Sunreef.

Dive HMAS Brisbane Report 26th May - 2nd June 2010

Why can’t we have this weather all year round???? This diving is just at a peak right now. Some may be deterred by a cloudy sky but how many divers can tell a story of their best dive when there were a few showers around and an overcast sky?

The visibility is on the HMAS BRISBANE is an incredible 25metres+ at the moment and has been for a number of days. The water temp. is on 22C and the marine life is just fantastic. Heaps of bait fish, schools of various pelagics plus the usual resident reef species are plentiful at the moment.

Diving at The Caves over the weekend, we had 25 metres viz once again. Many of the group got to see the Manta Ray who played around close by for quite a while. What enormous, yet graceful and harmless creatures these are. They are so majestic to watch as they swirl around the divers underwater. Unfortunately this one will no doubt lose the tip of one of its wings as there was fishing line and a fishing lure wrapped around the tip.

Moreton Island Report

Flinders Reef is always a great spot for a dive as was the case last weekend when a number of our divers jumped on board Supercat for a great day out. Viz was on 15 metres and it was turtle city out there. All reports were positive, the Nautilus crew looked after our guys well, fed them and brought them back home safely. What more could a diver ask? We will no doubt be back on board that vessel again soon.

Night Dives HMAS Brisbane

Night dives are back on the agenda once again now and the interest is high. Saturday 29th May is the set date for a single night dive on the HMAS BRISBANE. Meeting at the dive centre at 4pm, divers should be back by about 7.30p.m. There are spaces available still so get in quick. With only 12 divers on the boat, these dives are not crowded at all and hence the marine life doesn’t get spooked. Our exclusive mid ship mooring also helps make the night dive easier and safer.

The dive conditions look like they will hang in there for the rest of the week and the weekend should be great for a dive as well

Dive Safe in 2010
Greg Riddell and the Sunreef Team
HMAS Brisbane dive specialists Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

Dive HMAS BRISBANE with Sunreef.

Dive HMAS Brisbane Dive Report 18th May - 25th May 2010

Grab your dive gear; grab your hoodie and book onto a dive real quick.

For all of those who have been waiting for the conditions to calm down and clear up before you book for a dive; well you've already missed some great conditions so don't miss what's happening this week.

Those gentle South Westerlies are here and we have flat seas and very clear water. When you are in the engine room of the HMAS BRISBANE and look outside and you can see the sand on the bottom some 20 - 30 metres away, you have clear water. Water temp is hovering from 21C to 23C depending on ocean currents etc. and the marine life is just 'going off'.

Divers reported pods of dolphins on the surface and although we haven't seen any whales yet, there have been reports from a little further south that they are on their way. We should be seeing and hearing them very soon.

International guests have made up the larger percentage of divers in recent weeks. Once again, so many have stated that they came to the Sunshine Coast just because they wanted to dive the HMAS BRISBANE.

So don't miss these conditions, there's no guarantee that they are going to continue forever. You would be wise to bring a jacket and beanie to put on after your dives and you can experience some of these fantastic conditions you hear talked about so often.

If you think you might need some extra warmth under your wettie for this winter, then come and talk to Kelly as to what she thinks of the Lavacore thermal undergarment she bought recently. They are toastie!!!! Kelly will admit that she is a bit of a frog and has never been so warm since grabbing one of these new Lavacore tops.

We wish Trina a speedy recovery from her surgery.

Dive Safe in 2010
Greg Riddell and the Sunreef Team
HMAS Brisbane dive specialists Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

Dive HMAS BRISBANE with Sunreef.