Category Archives: Underwater Musings

 

At 22 degrees, I had my shivers on – but then – I am a sook – but the dives were well worth it with QLD Grouper, Lionfish, schools of Mullet – And even Cormorants(bird) trying to dive down and catch the mullet next to me! – Cheeky Fan-Bellied Leatherjackets, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, and of course 5 separate cuttlefish – two of which didn’t mind putting on a romantic display while we watched! Such great critter spotting we are headed back tomorrow – this time with film to see if I can catch some more creature-feature on video!

Thankyou to my buddies Iain & Lorenzo for another great opportunity to dive!

Seaway Dive 24th March 2019

I hadn’t planned on diving Sunday – it was a last minute thing to become available.

The weather had not been handing out great in-water conditions at the seaway, so I didn’t prep the camera

– instead wanting to work with a diver on their buoyancy control in slightly challenging conditions.  Was I wrong about how memorable the day was.

But let’s not get ahead of things. The photos underwater are from previous dives – so that you get the idea of what critters we saw – but in very poor conditions. The surface shots were thanks to our surface watch Andy from FromThinAir Productions, who just happened to pull out the iphone at the right time!

 

We arrived to an unwelcome surprise. advised that 24 hours earlier the Seaway tide turned an hour after what was projected.

When we arrived at 9:15, the tide had already turned – at least 1.5hours BEFORE high tide!!  Disappointing, but we still kitted up and tried to get in ASAP before the current really started to drag us seaward. Our dive was uneventful, with only a mild current to swim into for the near hour-long duration, with many critters spotted in the low visibility. The two buddy teams lost each other periodically, with the visibility down to 1m in some places – but with enough distance to catch each other to point out specific interests along the way.

 

 

We spotted Greyface/White-Eyed Moray Eel, a gnarly old Yellow Margined Moray Eel… a very well camouflaged stonefish looking at us grumpily, a curious octopus, although shy,  and my favourite spot – a crocodile fish!! I searched high and low for the recently-spotted frogfish, and the ornate ghost pipefish, but came away unsuccessful. Flathead hanging out everywhere!

 

 

Our second trip ran as an outgoing drift – a little more challenging as any disturbance of the silt then flowed in front of us ‘muddying the waters’ ahead. One of the very first things spotted was a mottled catfish which seemed remarkable calm at our approach. On closer inspection I discovered the ‘very chill’ guy was actually snagged badly on a fishing line! As we meandered onwards we inspected many nooks & crannies, spotted a little yellow spotted boxfish (juvenile), lots more cleaner shrimps, and another Octopus that was very curious, even after getting a mild sandstorm blown over him when the surge from a passing big boat hit us all. We rounded the point in the shallows and then descended down to show the divers ‘the poo-pipe’ which was discharging processed water into the outgoing tide.

 

Hooking up towards the steps, the divers found a big Cod nestled in a grotto nearby, so by the excitement in their eyes I decided to take them down to the 3 water tanks on the off chance my old friend the QLD Grouper was hanging out in the big one. Drifting down to the Sandpiper, it seemed a much larger distance than usual due to the low visibility. We arrived at the tanks, and I peeked inside the largest. Much sanddrift has now made the accessible area inside much small than my last visit, and with just stripeys and a large sweetlip inside, I decided Mr Grouper probably didn’t hang out in there much due to the reduced space. Moving around to the middle and low tank, I bumped into two large lionfish hiding out of the current, and a mass of Stripeys in the middle tank.  In case there was something exciting in the low tank – who’s access is now only just big enough for your head, I peered inside to no avail. I looked back to the 3 divers and didi a double take – when did another diver join us? Peering closer, the diver blob came closer and I realised it was one of the Grouper I was searching for – but wow he has grown since I last saw him.  Excitedly I pointed him out to the guys,  and even Simon, who was less than 2m away didn’t realize immediately that he was looking at an enormous fish, right next to him!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Grouper completely ignored Simon next to him and quietly swam up-current to me, as I retracted my pointing arm, until we were nose-to-nose. Elated but I admit I was a little wary, but then, if he decided to nip me there was nothing I was going to be able to do about it! Enormous, filling my vision, he came close enough for a cuddle – (although I didn’t really 🙂 )  Mr Grouper hung there for awhile and then headed off into the  the murk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s not all that often I use the ‘Mind Blown’ underwater signal – and funnily enough during the briefing for this dive Simon asked what my signal for mind blowing was – was there some premonition Simon? I reckon maybe!

Enough for now – Time to plan the next dive! 

 

Toodlepip!

Friday, October 19th – Kedron Park Hotel

Another very enjoyable night out with some new faces, along with some regular ones all coming along for a beverage and a chinwag! We even had apologies sent from others who couldn’t make it on the night. So good to have a snug dive community coming together like this! The Kedron Pub has upgraded the TV we usually use however, with the new you-beauty version a bit too sophisticated to accept the data inputs we have used in the past. No big screen for this night – thank you to Rob for allowing use of his laptop for a few images!! Very much looking forward to using that new screen however – looks like a great upgrade!!

So what has happened this last month?

 

MV DIVEQUEST
One of DiveQuest outboards suffered a nasty hiccup on the way out to dive North Stradbroke Island recently. While we still managed to complete the day and return safely, the day was rather long travelling on one outboard! Despite the long day, and some seasickness, and the obvious worry over a damaged boat, everyone aboard still debarked at the end of the (longer-than-normal) day with smiles and well wishes that DQ would be back on the water soon. The great news we have is that she was back on her ‘sea-legs’ within a week (even though the weather then turned sour!) with Mercury motors covering the messy gearbox under warranty.

 

Mark & Go Dive Charters would like to thank everyone aboard that day for their resilience, patience and confidence as we maneuvered through the tricky situation!

 

MV DIVEQUEST 2019 CALENDAR

Is in the making. To make it easier the schedule will not be swapping days on the weekend for the year – but keeping to a regular Sunday each week. The calendar will be complete soon however things to note:

• Every Sunday  – Dive Departure
• Once a month – Saturday Double Dive – cruisey/easy dive day – great for rusty divers, photographers
• Once a Month – Flinders Reef – Double Dive
• Every Second Month – Triple Dive Day – Advanced Divers
• Every Second Month (opposite to the triple dive day) – Excursion Dive Day – Hendersons/Cherubs etc
• Curtin Artificial Reef – when possible – tidally dependent

 

SHARKSKIN available at Go Dive

Yes, Go Dive is now making Sharkskin available.

As there are SO many different models and SO many sizes, Mark is not trying to stock them all, it would overwhelm the shop!

A few models in the main sizes in-store, with ability to order in anything specific not in house fairly quickly.

Di arrived at the social night rocking the new Sharkskin Surface Jacket, which seemed to make the rounds of the room, came near to vanishing a few times!

 

 

NEW OVERSEAS TRIP LAUNCHED – Hideaway Island – Vanuatu

As there was a big empty gap between Santo this year and Truk in 2019, we have launched a great week away just before Easter next year (not on Easter as ALL prices skyrocket as you know)

A week in Port Vila on Hideaway Island.

Sound good?

You bet it does!!

More details HERE.

 

 

 

SANTO/VANUATU Departure Group

Some very happy end excited divers (along with a few slightly jealous ones too perhaps!) chatting about preparations for their imminent departure to dive Santo, President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point and the local reefs.

New roommates met each other, and all the niggly last minute questions were clarified.

As some of the group are coming from places afar – Sydney, and even as far as Tonga, not everyone was able to attend, but those who did all seemed very upbeat and ready for their next adventure.

 

REMINDER – South West Rocks

Still have places left for your South West Rocks super-shark foray in early December.

We have the private apartment booked, and again have some divers travelling up from Sydney to join us!

More details HERE.

 

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA ScubaSafari 2020 Nearly booked out!

Amazing we have only 2 confirmed places left for this epic adventure.

After those are taken I will try to access more, but cannot guarantee – many connections, accommodations, tours etc all come together for this bucket list event.

Don’t miss out – it will be AMAZING!! More details HERE.

 

 

 

 

THANKS FOR COMING!

Our next social night will be Friday November 23rd – Kedron Park Pub, Lutwyche Road. 6:30pm. We should have photos and video from the Santo trip. Hope to see you there!!

Event details – November Social Night

xx

Diver Di (SubmersibleHuman)

 

 

Just to make you all smile,I headed off with buddy Lorenzo to take part in the current ‘Baby Shark’ craze!

Featuring (Well, Di, obviously!) and Sharks found in our Pacific Ocean region!

• Tasseled Wobbegong Sharks (Raja Ampat – West Papua)
• Grey Nurse Sharks/Ragged Tooth Sharks/Sand Tiger Sharks (South West Rocks, NSW & Wolf Rock QLD – Australia)
• Ornate Wobbegong Shark (South West Rocks, NSW, Australia)
• Grey Reef Whaler Sharks (Palau, Micronesia)
• Tawny Nurse Shark (Flat Rock, Brisbane, QLD, Australia)
• All other critters – Crayfish, Catfish & Queensland Grouper all in locations close to Brisbane QLD

Have a laugh, give it a thumbs up or down, subscribe – maybe even have a look at the other – less silly – underwater films made!!

Friday, September 28th – Kedron Park Hotel

Another great night at the Kedron Pub for our recent social night.  It’s always nice to see these happy diver faces catching up with past and future buddies!

Housekeeping –

TRUK LAGOON – AIR NUGINI

The news everyone has heard about Air Niugini had only hours earlier had an incident landing at the airport at Weno, Truk Lagoon. many conflicting reports are coming out about whether she landed short or overran the runway, or missed it completely – ending up in the sea around 100m from the end of the runway. Anyone who has been there knows that runway is incredibly short but most importantly it appears everybody escaped the plane on the surface before she sank, with the locals all rushing into action with boats out to the fuselage to assist.

More than anything I hope everyone is alright, retrieves their belongings or has them replaced, and that this doesn’t affect Air Niugini’s plans to keep flying the route to Truk-Pohnpei-Port Moresby. When United Airlines ceased Flying Cairns-Guam, Truk Lagoon became very difficult for Aussies to visit due to the complexities of travel. This route made Truk so much more accessible, more so than when United were in place. I would hate to see Truk Lagoon, its locals and businesses suffer from a loss of visitors that was seen between United ceasing and Air Niugini starting.

Air Niugini Press Release

 

 

 

DIVE TRAVEL

We have the new travel brochures up and ready to go, with Fish Rock Cave 2018 & 2019, Santo & Truk 2019 & South Africa 2020 all on offer.

More trips will also come online as they are completed preparations. Click on the brochures below for more details!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

DIVELOG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October Edition – SubmersibleHuman is the Woman of Water for this month! Many divers had already seen it – and despite a spelling error on my surname, it was lovely to see it has already been read and commented on by many! Thanks divers!

Read Dive Log Online

 

SCUBA DIVER ASIA PACIFIC

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four issues along and this new dive magazine has been pretty solid with what it is bringing each month. There are many copies at GoDive for anyone wanting to pick up a current issue (free). We also have some earlier editions if you missed them.

Scuba Diver Asia Pacific

 

GUEST SPEAKER – PHOTOGRAPHER NIGEL MARSH

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nigel entertained us with some AMAZING shark images, and loads if information on Sharks, behaviour, species identification and answering all our curly questions! His beautiful new book Diving with Sharks was drooled over, and a buddy pair of mine cleaned him out of almost all his publications! His newest book, hot off the press too – Close Encounters was on show so we had an early peek!!

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHERS DAY WITH NIGEL

Unfortunately the day put aside for Nigel Marsh to share some of his knowledge with budding photographers needs to be changed. No longer October the 6th, We have him booked aboard DiveQuest in the blossoming warmer water on Sunday 18th November. Get in quick to book your spot aboard!

DiveQuest Bookings Page

 

THANKS FOR COMING!

Our next social night will be Friday October 19th – Kedron Park Pub, Lutwyche Road. 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!!

Event details – October Social Night

xx

Diver Di (SubmersibleHuman)