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!
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