411_01 FRONTCOVER _411_merge

Cathie poses with schooling Trevally at False Entrance at Osprey Reef

medical concerns, particularly those contra to diving, produce a ‘fit to dive’ medical certificate. This is understandable since it is not all about you, and not fair on the other divers if someone has a medical incident that requires a long journey evacuation resulting in missed diving opportunities for those still onboard. Similarly, MBDE require those heading to the Coral Sea to have an ‘Advanced Diver’ certification, or 15 logged ocean dives including 5 in last 12 months. The Coral Sea is not an area to be foolhardy or for the totally inexperienced. In some places the depth of water can go from 5m to 2,000m within a relatively short distance and there is always the potential for currents to develop. For the safety of the divers, Spoilsport orientates and equips every diver with a ‘Nautilus’ marine GPS surface tracking device just in case. Spoilsport has high quality equipment for hire and a choice of air or Nitrox 32. Up to five dives a day are offered which includes a night dive most evenings. CCR and Solo diving is also an option. In the Coral Sea, water temperature varies from 25C to 30C depending on the time of year, while underwater visibility is usually around 30m depending on the tide and the proximity of the dive site to the larger reef formations. Diving takes place between 12m to 30m, with a maximum of 40m. On our departure the lights of Cairns quickly disappearing off Spoilsports stern as we headed Northeast on our over-night crossing to

Holmes Reef. Since we were transiting the open ocean, it can get a bit bumpy at times so MBDE advise those prone to seasickness should utilise appropriate remedies before leaving the dock and as prescribed until you get your sea-legs. On reaching Holmes Reef we started our expedition with an early wake-up call and the rest of the day like most others rolled out like this: first breakfast (continental style), dive #1, second breakfast (full menu), dive #2 and #3, lunch, Dive #4, snacks, Dive #5 (night dive) and then dinner. In the space available we are not able to list and describe all the marine creatures we encountered on our Coral Sea adventure. But just about on every dive we encountered numerous species of Angel Fish, Batfish, Chromis, Coris, Anthias, Damsels, Coris, Chaetodons, Fusiliers, Cardinal and Squirrelfish, Blennies, Gobis, Dotty Backs, Rainbow Runners, Yellow Snapper, Parrot Fish, Bream, Pipefish, Nudibranchs, Sea Stars and Clams. Holmes Reef is split into two sections, known as East and West Holmes, and both have large lagoons with safe anchorages. Steep drop-offs and pinnacles feature great hard coral formations with and an abundance of marine life. Popular wall dives include apply named: ‘Golden Wall’, ‘The Cathedral’ and ‘The Abyss’, with each site perched on walls dropping into 1,000m of water. Adorning these walls are

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DIVE LOG Australasia #411- April 25