Aussie Diving - June week 1 (Fri 30th to Thur 5th June)

[Sas]

That's a grumpy looking fish

Today we had our wreck dive canceled *again* because of shipping so went to Castle Rock instead. It is outside the heads so it was my first dive outside Port Phillip Bay. The dive site was a 50m bommie (shaped like a castle, who would have guessed) at about 19m which we swum around a few times Saw lots of various fish but unluckily missed the ledge where all the other divers found about six Port Jackson sharks.

After that was a shore dive at Point Lonsdale Marine Park, where we saw Old Wives, Blue Devils but no wobbegongs unfortunately - we heard there is a ledge where they hang out but did not know how to find it.

Anyway, my buddy is up at Ewens Ponds diving next week and I promised I'd wait until he was back to try for the wreck again, and the week after we have our deep course dives, so will be a while before I can try for the Eliza Ramsden again Oh well soon we will be qualified to dive on the subs! Can't wait.

 

[alcina]

Sunday was an awesome day! The water was even warmer

Lovely blue water, very nice visibility and action action action! Did two dives, two different sites and thoroughly enjoyed them both.

Here's a not so grumpy fish

 

[Gudge]

Lovely blue water, very nice visibility and action action action!

Pity you missed the dolphins that almost swam over the top of you. You need to get your head out of holes and from under ledges and look up more often.

Here's the only shot I could manage as they swam past me:

My first close encounter with dolphins underwater so I was very happy. Pity I had a macro lens on and not wide angle.

 

[alcina]

Fabulous, Gudge! I always miss the dolphins on that site LOL

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Anyway, my buddy is up at Ewens Ponds diving next week and I promised I'd wait until he was back to try for the wreck again, and the week after we have our deep course dives, so will be a while before I can try for the Eliza Ramsden again Oh well soon we will be qualified to dive on the subs! Can't wait.

Ah Ewen Ponds ... dived that about 9 years ago was absolutely fabulous ... laying on the bottom watching the clouds ... always thought it would be an amazing night dive.

Is it true that these days you have to get permission to dive it??

 

[Sas]

Not sure. I do know that they only allow 8 (pretty sure it is 8) divers in at a time. I'll ask my buddy

Would have liked to have gone myself but do have to spend *some* time with my non-diving partner on a long weekend

 

[stiebs]

You need permission from the DEH (Dept of Environment & Heritage) to dive groups of six or more. Otherwise no permission required.

I'll be up at Mt Gambier (again) this weekend too. Hopefully will finish up my last qual dive to get my deep cavern cert.

Sas, you don't need to have a wreck cert to dive on any of the wrecks around Melbourne. You just can't enter them. And the J4 is the only really accessible wreck that can be penetrated. (Or at least until the HMAS Canberra is sunk)! Your deep qual will help you out more with the wrecks, as the only really decent wrecks shallower than 30m are the J4 and the Eliza Ramsden.

There are a handful of other shallower ones, but they're either protected (City of Launceston, William Salthouse), blasted (Hurricane, Goorangai), or just not frequented that much by charters (George Kermode).

 

[Sas]

Sas, you don't need to have a wreck cert to dive on any of the wrecks around Melbourne. You just can't enter them. And the J4 is the only really accessible wreck that can be penetrated. (Or at least until the HMAS Canberra is sunk)! Your deep qual will help you out more with the wrecks, as the only really decent wrecks shallower than 30m are the J4 and the Eliza Ramsden.

Yep. Currently I just have OW so am not permitted on any dives beyond 18m (at least with Dive Vic who I always dive with). But on 15th I should have my Deep to 39m so will be able to dive on all of the recreational sites, including the J4. Excited~~

I think with the wreck certs I have seen, they are more intro to wreck rather than teaching you how to do penetration diving anyway. I was told that it is optional on the SSI and PADI Wreck courses. Might look into it next year, but it is not required as you mentioned so not sure if I will. Would like to enter them at some point especially as the Canberra is being sunk, so will look at some proper training then I guess.

 

[stiebs]

The PADI wreck course "certifies" you to penetrate up to a maximum of 40 linear metres from the surface, but unfortunately IMO doesn't really "train" you to do so. For the J4, that means 25m to the wreck, then 15m pen. The J4 is the only realistically penetrable "recreational" wreck in Melbourne, and it is a very straightforward penetration; almost a swim through - its basically an empty open shell with plenty of exits and no areas out of the light zone. The only real dangers are sharp edges and surge through the hull. That said, its still a very good dive and you can do it dozens of times without getting sick of it!

You're right.. even though the PADI wreck course will "qualify" you to penetrate a wreck, if thats where you want to take your diving, you'd be best to look at a more technical oriented wreck course, or alternatively get some cave quals.

 

[almitywife]

finally got some pics from hubby from this dive

link to more pics: Gravel Loader, Shellharbour