Sundive November 2005 Newlsetter

Our aim is to bring you up to date information on our stunning diving as well as planned courses and trips. We also need your input. If you have any diving experiences that you would like to share in our up-coming newsletters or require any information that would be helpful to your own diving plans please let us know via e-mail. Introductions aside, here is what you will find in this edition:

Well, the dust had finally cleared and the "new look" Sundive Byron Bay has been unveiled. The front shop and classroom have both undergone some hefty renovations over the Winter season. The result is a much more spacious and well presented shop front which will allow us to comfortably accommodate more divers as well as having a greater range and display of the latest Dive Gear. To celebrate our new opening we are offering 10-15% OFF ALL STOCK during the month of November. Simply visit out store at 8 Middleton Street Byron Bay and mention this Newsletter to receive our "New Store Opening Specials".

Please help us stop the NSW Government introducing a ridiculous tax called the "NSW Divers Licence".

The licence fee will be introduced to fund the recovery of the Grey Nurse Shark. The loss of these Sharks is not just a diving issue, and therefore should not be funded by us alone, after all we don't do them any harm! Many believe that the revenue raised won't even cover the costs of the administration of the licence let alone the recovery of the Grey Nurse Sharks.
We believe that divers should not be singled out and taxed because they are entering the water with a tank on. If it happens, who will be next? Snorkellers, Kayakers, Swimmers and Surfers?

Morally it's not right, and could pave the way for more taxes. Information currently provided to Government and Research organisations, by SCUBA Divers, has and will continue to be the greatest tool these Institutions have in the fight to protect the Grey Nurse Shark and many other threatened and vulnerable species. This information is currently provided free of charge simply because we already want to protect the Marine Environment in any way we can, surely we can do something more pro-active and effective than paying a yearly diving fee.... What do you think?

Please help us object to this proposal and submit your response online, YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, We need your help!

Go Online here if you wish view the discussion paper, click on the download link "Discussion Paper and form" but then SUBMIT YOUR OBJECTION by selecting "ONLINE QUICK RESPONSE FORM" and select DON'T SUPPORT on EVERY option.

Submissions must be made by 1st December, so please don't forget!

Sundive has organised a little trip up to Moolalaba to dive on the HMAS Brisbane. We will be diving with Sunreef Dive Centre. Visit their web site here.

We are planning to drive up from Byron on the afternoon of the 24th November and then dive on the morning of the 25th November. If you need a ride we can help organise a car pool so let us know. We will be staying at the Mooloolaba Backpackers.

Visit their web site at http://www.mooloolababackpackers.com/

The dive leaves early Friday morning, 7.00am and will be finished by lunchtime. Cost is $185 for the two dives and accommodation. This includes tanks and weights only. Deposit of $75 is required by the 12th Nov. - Feecall 1800 008 755 to book. If you are interested let us know soon. We have only 8 places booked and 3 have been taken already.

Dive Travel Forum
Share your Dive Travel Stories with us and win*, e-mail: dive@sundive.com.au - The most "interesting" stories will appear in future newsletters and the author will win a FREE Dive at the Julian Rocks Marine Park!

While in Melbourne earlier this year, Andy caught up with some of the more prominent local Dive Stores and discovered what lies beneath the chilly surface waters surrounding Port Phillip Bay.

As soon as I disembarked from the plane at Coolangatta Airport I quickly realized my usual attire of shorts and a t-shirt would not be enough to withstand the chilly Melbourne temperatures. Despite local reports of a "heat wave", I found the daily average temperatures of 20 - 24 degrees quite refreshing to say the least. Especially when compared with the scorching summer temperatures of Northern NSW. After a day of acclimation I ventured down to the South-eastern side of Port Phillip Bay to visit the sleepy town of Portsea. The drive from Melbourne City lasted only an hour and a half after which I was presented with one of the most beautiful Sunrises I have seen in quite a while. The Portsea area is dotted with numerous small harbours and bays each with stunning views over Port Phillip Bay with the distant mountain ranges forming a spectacular backdrop.

I started gearing up for our morning dive at 8am and was given a briefing of the scheduled site. I was to dive one of the 5 J-Class Submarines just outside the entrance to the bay. These old WW1 Subs were sold by the British Government in 1919 and lie in depths between 6 and 40m after being scuttled in 1926. Our Sub was simply named the 26meter Sub or J4, and at this depth Nitrox gas mixes were ideal. The Staff at Dive Victoria were extremely professional in their pre-dive preparation and went out of their way to ensure each of the 14 divers aboard their purpose built dive vessel were ready to go and on time. We left for the heads with beautiful clear skies and flat seas. Crossing the area known as "The Rip" between Port Phillip Bay Heads was easy on this particular day, but the eddies, currents and boils on the surface hinted at the dangers larger swells would pose.

Once at the site, a shot line was dropped directly onto the wreck with pinpoint accuracy and divers entered the water in buddy pairs. Wearing a two-piece 7mm wetsuit I prepared myself for immersion in the 19 degree water. Now this doesn't seem very cold but when you have just come from 26-28 degree waters off Byron Bay the temperature change is very noticeable. I tried not to move much during decent in order to minimize the amount of water entering my suit and simply followed the shot line all the way down. I am overwhelmed each time I dive a wreck of any substantial size and this was no different. Broken in sections this wreck appears to be almost entirely intact and lies upright on the sand in a maximum of about 27m. Penetration on the 26m Sub is very straight-forward with large openings regularly dotting the upper side. Once inside, the view of light filtering through these openings was remarkable and still remains as one of my lasting images from this dive. Frequently flushed by large seas, silting-up if the wreck is very difficult and makes for an ideal introduction to wreck diving.

The fish life on the wreck was not prolific but definitely varied. Schools of very large dart waited patiently in each of the openings, occasionally moving aside to allow divers entry or exit from the wreck. Spectacularly coloured Eastern Blue Devil fish could be found along the sand line as well as numerous species of Leatherjacket. The Sub's structure captured most of my attention, however, and I eventually made my way to the Torpedo tubes which were in perfect condition and still hollowed out. Making our way back to the shot line I noticed some large Magpie Morwong and Long-snout Boarfish, species indicative of these temperate waters. There was so much to see that I barely noticed the water temperature and found myself back on the boat with a hot cup of Milo in my hands before long.

Next destination, Pope's Eye Reef. This horse-shoe shaped reef was originally built during the 1880's to protect Melbourne city from naval invasion. Now a Marine Park, this shallow (12m) dive is perfect either as an introduction to Victorian Diving or as a shallow repetitive dive. The dive began as a drift around the Western side of the horse-shoe until we found slack water behind the South facing wall. Marine life here was as prolific as it was varied. From Hermit Crabs, Southern Rock Lobster and Abalone competing for room around the kelp covered rocks to schooling Sea Pike, various Wrasse, Damsel and Leatherjacket species sharing the water column. A very relaxing dive suitable for all levels as well as snorkelers. Speaking of which, we visited the local Fur Seal Population next and I couldn't resist flapping around with the locals before returning to base.

All in all, Diving Port Philip Bay was definitely an eye opener for me, with visibility and fish life greatly exceeding my preconceptions. The "chill factor" was also bearable, even for a warm water wuss such as myself! Thoroughly enjoyable. For this experience I would like to thank Kyle, Michelle, Jane and Skipper Wayne at Dive Victoria for their professionalism and service during my stay. The warm Milo was also greatly appreciated! Many thanks.

It's time to shake off those winter chills and take advantage of the wonderful diving conditions. The water temperature has risen a couple of degrees recently with visibility reaching 15-20m on some days. If you haven't yet seen the Grey Nurse Sharks this season this is your last chance until next year. We have sighted them on several occasions this week, however, the season is drawing to a close. Humpback Whales have also been seen quite regularly from the boats...so come on in and join the action.

With the impending promise of a dive tax being introduced by the NSW Government next year, now is the time to dive.