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Dive HMAS Brisbane Report 16th March 2009 |
Dive HMAS Brisbane Report 16th March 2009 Cyclone Hamish
Cyclone Hamish has left its mark on our coastline but has had only a short term bad effect on Fishing Boating and Diving along the Coast. Watch this space for up dates as the clean up continues.
After extensive communication with the E.P.A. on Friday and consultaion regarding public health issues, we decided we would venture out on Saturday morning with a group of experienced divers from Melbourne, to the HMAS BRISBANE. We really did not know what to expect. We briefed the group stating that we may not be able to get in the water because of the oil spill but all were keen to go and check things out. We did hold some hope though as aerial surveys on Friday reported that the spill was confined to the shoreline extending out up to 300 metres from the shore.
Much to everyone's surprise, there was no evidence of the oil spill at this site. The ship seems to be far enough east to have avoided any hint of the spill. The ship itself, after such a battering from the big swells, is in great shape. The only damage noticed was a couple of sections of side railing that have been dislodged and is hanging over the side of the ship. Apart from that, all the marine life is still there. The bait fish are there, the kingies, the anenemoes, the guitar fish, kthe corals etc. are all still there.
Visibility was 8 metres in the morning and 10 metres on the afternoon dive. There was still some surge through the wreck, which is no surprise but what was a surprise was that the water temperature had dropped 3C to 24C.
Diving on the local reef is a different story, We haven't ventured out there yet, due to the surge effect from the left over Hamish swells. It will be interesting to see if there is any residue of the oil on our local reefs. Although our dive boat did a swoop past Mudjimba Island (Old Woman Island), it was not safe to get close enough to see if there was any oil spill around the island. We will check again as the swell drops and the boat can safely approach for a closer inspection.
The clean up of the oil spill on the beaches is continuing and many of the surfing beaches were reopened yesterday with more due to be reopened today. Some thanks to the government for finally acting but more thanks to our mayor, Bob Abbott, who is a "doer" and just got in there on day 1 and started the clean up. The clean up of the rocky headlands will take a longer, more concerted effort. There is no doubt that much damage has been done in these areas.
The PADI IDC, instructor course, is scheduled for March and there are still spaces available for anyone wishing to embark on an exciting career that gives you a qualification and hence an ability to work, that is recognised the world over. Call the dive centre on 07 5444 5656 for details or email to
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