A Sunshine Coast underwater treasure is turning 20 and three of the first people to dive it are reuniting to mark the milestone.
The ex-HMAS Brisbane, one of Australia’s most celebrated dive sites, was scuttled off Mooloolaba on July 31, 2005, transforming from warship to vibrant marine wonderland.
Two decades on, its legacy as an artificial reef and tourism drawcard is as strong as ever.
Scuba World managing director Mike McKinnon recalled the day the ship was scuttled.
“I was 22 years old and had been diving for eight years,” he said.
“There were so many boats out on the water that day. A 500m exclusion zone had been set up to ensure vessel safety.
“There were 12 of us on our Scuba World dive boat watching a once-in-a-lifetime event. My father, mother and brother were there along with eight of our staff and close friends.
“All of a sudden, the explosives went off, causing water to bubble around the ship. In less than three minutes it was entirely underwater: it all happened so quickly.”
Commercial divers were the only ones allowed on the ship during the first two weeks, to ensure all explosives had detonated.
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“I was one of the first divers to see her,” Mr McKinnon said. “It was a very eerie feeling.
“Seeing the wreck with its clean pristine surface is a sight I will never forget.”
Related story: Power of cyclonic seas splits one wreck into two
The wreck started to come alive with sea life within six months.
“I have done thousands of dives all around the world, and one dive that really stands out was in 2015 on the ex-HMAS Brisbane,” Mr McKinnon said.
“It was a hot summer day, 25-metre visibility, no wind, no swell and no current.
“We dropped down and there she was in all her glory.
“A school of 25 eagle rays circled us in a tornado formation. Five big Queensland groupers were hanging off the bow, big schools of kingfish and trevally were cruising past, hundreds of bat fish, octopus and vibrant, colorful corals.
“The wreck truly is a spectacular dive site.
“Over my 1500-plus dives on the wreck I have been very lucky to see the wreck change over the last 20 years and I look forward to what the next 20 years will bring.”
In celebration of the 20-year anniversary, several of Scuba World’s first recreational divers on the ex-HMAS will reunite for the first time since her scuttling.
Jason Morden, Paula Kerr and Wayne Hibbert will head out from Scuba World’s Mooloolaba HQ on Thursday morning to re-explore their old friend.
Mr Morden said the 2005 dive was his first experience at a wreck.
“What stood out for me was how clean it was, with no marine life and the large identification number 41 on its side,” he said.
“As a newly qualified dive master, it was the first of over 500 dives that I went on to lead on the Brisbane.
“The most common remark from divers was the amazing amount of marine life.
“Now, being 20 years underwater, it has been a few years since I’ve dived it and I’m looking forward to seeing the changes after the recent cyclone.”
Ms Kerr will embark on her first dive in 17 years.
She said she was somewhat apprehensive.
“It was incredible to be on the very first recreational dive when the ship was so shiny and new,” she said.
“Cupboards opened and we had a lot of fun discovering our new playground.
“I’ve spent the last few weeks regaining my scuba skills and Thursday’s adventure is something I wouldn’t miss for anything in the world.”
The ex-HMAS Brisbane serves as a popular tourism destination and provides a unique habitat for many different types of marine life.
The Maroochy mayor of 2005, current Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli, recalled the day the ex-HMAS Brisbane was scuttled.
“It was a magical day on the water, with the largest flotilla of vessels heading from the Mooloolah River harbour to the resting site for the ex-HMAS Brisbane,” he said.
“I was on the boat with the Queensland Premier Peter Beattie to watch him trigger the series of explosions which set the pathway to the bottom of the ocean, where she has been for 20 years.
“Over those years, the ex-HMAS Brisbane dive site has made a strong economic contribution, directly generating $4.5 million annually from dive tourism and tens of millions more in indirect overnight visitor expenditure.
“Detailed research … shows the dive site contributes significant indirect economic benefits to local businesses, including hospitality, retail and transport: a great financial gain for the Sunshine Coast region.
“It was wonderful to secure the ship to be sunk only a 15-minute boat ride to the dive site from Mooloolaba.”
