SCUBA WORLD TAKES THE PLUNGE ON EX-HMAS BRISBANE
Published Tuesday, 19 December, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
The wreck of ex-HMAS Brisbane has put the Sunshine Coast firmly on the map as a ‘must dive’ destination for the world’s scuba diving enthusiasts Premier Peter Beattie said today.
“The dive business on the Sunshine Coast is booming as a direct result of national and international interest in diving on the wreck of the Brisbane,” Mr Beattie said.
“Ex-HMAS Brisbane has captured the imagination of diving enthusiasts. The latest estimate from the Environment Protection Agency suggest about 8,000 divers have made about 14,000 separate dives on the wreck since it was scuttled in July 2005.”
The Premier was at Mooloolaba Marina to officially launch a new dive vessel – the 11.3 metre MV Scuba World – an inflatable boat that can transport 20 divers at a time to the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park.
“Recreational diving has become incredibly popular on the Sunshine Coast with Scuba World experiencing a 400 per cent boost in dive numbers in the 12 months following the scuttling of the ex-HMAS Brisbane,” Mr Beattie said.
“Managing Director Ian McKinnon has given a $260,000 vote of confidence in the future of dive industry in Mooloolaba by investing in the new boat. It underlines the growing popularity of the Brisbane as a diving site that is attracting national and international divers.
“The new boat was manufactured in Brisbane by Woody Marine to a world-renowned New Zealand design and has all the features divers look for in a good boat.
“It didn’t take long for the word to get out that 80 minutes drive north of Brisbane and 10 minutes by boat from Mooloolaba was THE place to come for a great new Queensland diving experience,” Mr Beattie said.
“The ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park was created around the former warship with its proud record of service in the Vietnam and Gulf wars.
“The site is already recognised as a world-class wreck dive site so imagine what it will look like in the years ahead when there is more marine life, plants and coral.
“It’s great to see one of our small business operators take up another of the challenges on offer in our dynamic tourism industry,” Mr Beattie said.
Media inquiries: 3224 4500
19 December 2006
“The dive business on the Sunshine Coast is booming as a direct result of national and international interest in diving on the wreck of the Brisbane,” Mr Beattie said.
“Ex-HMAS Brisbane has captured the imagination of diving enthusiasts. The latest estimate from the Environment Protection Agency suggest about 8,000 divers have made about 14,000 separate dives on the wreck since it was scuttled in July 2005.”
The Premier was at Mooloolaba Marina to officially launch a new dive vessel – the 11.3 metre MV Scuba World – an inflatable boat that can transport 20 divers at a time to the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park.
“Recreational diving has become incredibly popular on the Sunshine Coast with Scuba World experiencing a 400 per cent boost in dive numbers in the 12 months following the scuttling of the ex-HMAS Brisbane,” Mr Beattie said.
“Managing Director Ian McKinnon has given a $260,000 vote of confidence in the future of dive industry in Mooloolaba by investing in the new boat. It underlines the growing popularity of the Brisbane as a diving site that is attracting national and international divers.
“The new boat was manufactured in Brisbane by Woody Marine to a world-renowned New Zealand design and has all the features divers look for in a good boat.
“It didn’t take long for the word to get out that 80 minutes drive north of Brisbane and 10 minutes by boat from Mooloolaba was THE place to come for a great new Queensland diving experience,” Mr Beattie said.
“The ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park was created around the former warship with its proud record of service in the Vietnam and Gulf wars.
“The site is already recognised as a world-class wreck dive site so imagine what it will look like in the years ahead when there is more marine life, plants and coral.
“It’s great to see one of our small business operators take up another of the challenges on offer in our dynamic tourism industry,” Mr Beattie said.
Media inquiries: 3224 4500
19 December 2006