411 Dive Log Australasia April 2025

Spirit of Freedom text and photos by Mike Scotland

Enchanting Soft Coral Gardens can be found at Osprey Reef.

From the very first moment that I boarded The Spirit of Freedom, two friendly faces called me over for a photo portrait for the Notice board. I met, Michelle, one of the service crew on board. Then I met more of the cordial crew. They all had the same welcoming professional friendly demeanour. I was impressed. The good will and camaraderie lasted all week. I thought to myself, this is a pretty special dive boat.

After settling in, lunch was served. We had a wonderful Kiwi chef, who served up so many awesome dishes. We dived the Cod Hole on Day 2. After a most entertaining informative and professional

dive brief we set up for the Cod feeding. Reality set in, as it often does under the sea. Our expectations were dashed. Absolutely no Cod turned up so we went onwards and downwards for our exploratory dive, which was excellent.

Leopard Blennies are both nervous and inquisitive at the same time

One day we saw well over a hundred Bump Head Parrotfish

69 Dive Log Australasia #411 April 25

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