Another week passes by

This week has been awesome
The winter water temperature is now around sixteen degrees onshore but a delightful eighteen degrees offshore. Only yesterday the highest air temperature for August was recorded and made the after diving ritual of getting out of a wet wetsuit, so much more comfortable.

I know I should be wearing my dry suit, but the water just isn't cold enough yet!

On the surface heading to the dive sites we are spotting Humpback whales, dolphins, Flying fish everywhere and a gigantic Southern Right whale during the week. Visibility has been a hit and miss affair with an algal bloom coming down the coast, probably the runoff from the recent floods up north, with a bonus of more fish than you can poke a stick at.

Several divers were harassed by a large cuttlefish off Bateau the other week, when I arrived on the scene they were trying to kick the poor animal to kingdom come. After a short time, the cuttle came towards me for a pat and a tickle, then continued to follow us for the duration of the dive.

To my dismay, on Wednesday I found a dead cuttlefish floating on the surface near the Shallows south of Norah head. This wasn't the same animal, I hope not anyway- Once the Cuttles have laid their eggs, tended the nest for a short time they eventually die.
Word has it the giant cuttlefish (Sepia aparma) only live for two to three years, so they have to cram a lot into their short lives.

Heading down to the white wet stuff...

Tony is taking a small group down to Perisher Valley this weekend, The water will be a bit harder down there, but he doesn't care.
The boards been waxed and his ski gear is back from the cleaners so its all a go!

I expect, Tony is planning a trip to Japan this year, he wants to ski the big slopes.
He worked out the costs and found it cheaper to stay and ski in Japan than travel to New Zealand. I just find it ludicrous- It is so cheap to ski Overseas than here in Australia.

For a start the lift tickets are cheaper, the runs are longer, the powder snow is drier and the food expenses are also cheaper even staying in the snow regions!

It is now only four short weeks before we jet off to the Philippines for some incredible diving. I can't wait to get Tina into the water at Puerto Gallera, I know she is going to love the diving. Tina is a big fan of small fish and the macro dive just south of the Atlantis resort will be a buzz dive for her.

I am running an Advanced diver class this weekend and the weather is looking good!

Winter time is definitely here

I know winter is the time most folks, tend to snuggle up with the doona, light the open fires or turn up the air conditioner, but this is also the best time to dive the east coast of Australia.

The air temperature is around 13 to 15 degrees whilst underwater, the temp is 18 degrees. Alright, I know there are places a little cooler out wider- I was out on Wednesday morning on Pro-Dive 1, when I looked at my gauges, the water temperature was reading 16 Degrees.

I thought, this is a little bit cool but, the vis was awesome.

After the first dive, we decided to come in closer to escape the cold westerly wind blowing. Just as we entered the water, I estimated the visibility to be around thirty metres in the cave at Terrigal.
In the haven, we still had around fifteen metres vis. I think partly because, all the sand that has been shifted away, has exposed the mud and when the weeds scrape over the soft clay bottom, it stirs up the bottom creating a fantastically eerie effect, with the final metre in pitch blackness.

As I swam along in the gloom, a large Wobby shot out when I approached a little too close for his liking- I can tell you, I got more of a shock, than he did!

So Yep, winter water is here.

Get out for a dive, enjoy the winter water before its too late. Hurry before the fishlife it attracts, goes away for another year.

What a busy week

The HMAS ADELAIDE was officially handed over to the NSW government on Friday. I was fortunate to be invited to attend the ceremony and gave a short talk on the benefits of the project to people around the world but especially to the people of the NSW Central Coast.

Divers are going to love this vessel as a dive site in twelve or so months time.
Because of the lack of information coming to light, I have been in contact with John Lawler from the Victorian Artificial Reef Society.
They have been very helpful and have gratefully assisted me all through the process to find out what I will need to put in place before the vessel hits the bottom.

Pity the local artificial reef society are not so helpful!

I have built up such a vast network of information and names for future reference, whom I can call on to discover more information as I feel I need it! So much so, that I was invited to come down to Victoria, to go over the HMAS Canberra. This is the sister ship to the HMAS Adelaide. She is tied up to the customs wharf at the Granary in North Geelong, having been prepared for sinking, sometime in August 2009.

John Lawler drove all the way to Melbourne to pick me up and Peter Fear from the S.C.U.B.A Doctors at Rye, accommodated me in his home. Valerie even cooked me a Roast Pork dinner without garlic. How good is that!

I am forever in their debt and will return the favour in due course. Great people and wonderful hosts.

I have never been to the Mornington peninsula but, I can say without a doubt, I loved the place. The weather was awesome, not a cloud in the shy, flat seas- a bit on the chilly side for me but, the area is awesome.

Instead of driving, I decided to go over on the ferry, this is a great trip, well worth the journey on its own!

I booked a cab to North Geelong and found the Canberra tied up to the wharf.

After I met John, Jason and Alan- (I was so very thankful for their assistance to get me onto the vessel) they took me for a private inspection- I will definitely return the favour whenever I can.

We toured the vessel from stem to stern, probably some places you should never look in a grand old lady.

I was led by John Lawler, Alan Beckhurst and Jason Salter from Queenscliff Dive Centre, together these men have been the driving force behind the venture and the vessel has been prepared wonderfully.

I had a great time exploring every inch of the vessel- This is the same area that divers will be swimming around in a very short time.

What I admired most about the group- they were able to retain so many items onboard, this will make the dives more enjoyable for all divers.

I could not imagine anything worse than, the vessel be completely stripped of every possible item. This would simply leave a sterile oasis, but the society members were able to persuade the Project team to leave quite a lot in place like, the washing machines and dryer in the fore peak laundry along with the ironing presses. There are several shower bases, sinks and an almost complete galley.

Down below- the huge gearbox, fuel filters, water purifiers, air receivers, telephones, gauges, dials, buttons, switches all still there whilst on the bridge, divers will be able to sit in the Captains Chair.

There will be so much to see, touch, explore and to fiddle with.

I earlier estimated, divers would have ten to twelve dives to fully see the ship, I have now raised this estimate to twenty dives at the minimum.

The vessel has been cut in such a way to allow vertical accesses from the engine room and from every angle, divers will be able to find an exit, quite easily.

I just cannot possibly wait until the HMAS Adelaide hits the bottom, this is going to be one awesome divesite.....

I would like to thank;

Peter and Valerie Fear from the SCUBA Doctors

John Lawler, President of VARS

Jason Salter, Queenscliff Dive centre

Alan Beckhurst, Mornington Dive club

and the cab driver Sanjit, who kept me talking and managed to make a $40 fare to $78!