Thursday, 30 April 2009: VARS News Update

In Brief

• Ship preparation is well advanced and looking great
• Concerns regarding the proposed site appear to be resolved
• Scuttling date is yet to be confirmed — however formal project timelines being worked to by Government agencies indicate mid-July
• Site management process being worked through by Parks Victoria
• VARS has expressed our strong concern about lack of consultation

Sub-Committee Reports

Communication - Convenor: Mike Reed
VARS expressed its strong concern over a lack of consultation with relevant government authorities over the past several months. We have previously reported a very good relationship with DSE who have been primarily responsible for the project so far. However, in these late stages of the project, other government departments (state and federal) have become involved and VARS has been distanced. A strongly worded letter was sent to relevant politicians and departmental managers reminding them of VARS ability to effectively represent the dive industry, to provide expert advice and of our need to be closely involved. We were particularly concerned given that the project appeared to be foundering due to lack of understanding of key issues related to the site and to standard safe diving practices applied in Victoria.

This situation now appears to have been remedied and VARS is once again meeting regularly with relevant parties and participating in workshops to find solutions to issues that are raised.

We will continue to be actively involved to ensure that the project maintains momentum.

Site Management - Convenor: Alan Beckhurst
In recent meetings with Parks Victoria, Tourism Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment VARS has been advised that the various concerns raised regarding the proposed site have now been resolved. The site has yet to be signed off by DEWHA and the Sea Dumping permit issued. However, there are no negatives at this stage.

VARS has provided Parks Victoria with assistance in developing a risk management plan for the site through provision of a draft discussion document. This will be further worked through by Parks Victoria with key stakeholders and then finalised within the overall management plan. It is expected that the final plan will include moorings and a booking system to ensure equitable and safe access to the site.

Ship Preparation - Convenor: Jason Salter
As previously reported, ship preparation is now all but complete. A proposal is still being worked through to retain the mast structure. This will need to be cut short and re-attached. Funding for this has been investigated. VARS regards this as a very important feature, both for safety purposes (better enable to conduct safety stops) and for aesthetics of the finished wreck.

Fund Raising / Membership - Convenor: Warrick McDonald
No new activities. The T-shirts ordered by various members are now available for collection.

Marketing / Promotion - Convenor: Bryan McGoldrick
No new activities.

Scuttling Celebration - Celebratory Ball - Convenor: Mick Jeacle
The Celebratory Ball is still planned to be held at the Coral Atoll Room at the Melbourne Aquarium. The Aquarium has been most understanding with the changes in dates and will do their best to accommodate us when we can confirm. A new date for this exciting event will be set once the Sea Dumping permit is signed off and the scuttling date known. Watch this space for information over the next month.

Wednesday, 4 March 2009: VARS News Update

In Brief

• Ship preparation will be completed within the next few weeks
• New concerns regarding the proposed site
• Scuttling date is yet to be confirmed — previously advised dates are now highly unlikely
• Celebratory Ball currentl being planned for 18th April is likely to be moved out

Sub-Committee Reports

Site Management - Convenor: Alan Beckhurst
The situation regarding the proposed site has now become quite confusing. It was previously believed that all relevant parties had signed off on the intended site. However, there are now signals that the Department of Environment, Water and Heritage (DEWHA) is not happy with the site. DEWHA is the Commonwealth Department that has responsibility for the Sea Dumping Act and which must sign off before any permit to scuttle Canberra can be issued.

DEWHA's reasons for not signing off on the site are not clear at this stage and VARS is working to try and gain an understanding. We believe that the subject will be discussed at Victorian State cabinet level later this month and we hope that the issue can be resolved in the near future.

This does mean that scuttling will not now happen in March 2009. At best, the new date is likely to be May or June. This is a very disappointing outcome with the result that the site is unlikely to start being dived regularly until summer 2009. There are also concerns with less stable weather patterns occurring during this period which could see further multiple delays.

Ship Preparation - Convenor: Jason Salter
Ship preparation is very nearly complete. A number of VARS Committee members visited the ship on 2nd March. At this time, the last of the cement infill was being poured — estimated to be around 50 to 70 tonnes. This will replace the 90 tonnes of lead ballast which has been removed and recycled.

The ship is looking fantastic! Birdon have done an outstanding job of preparing her for her "final voyage". There is no doubt that this will be the best purpose prepared wreck in Australia. Rather than strip out most rooms and open up gaping holes everywhere, Birdon have left many items in situ, carefully removing hazards and ensuring that all rooms have more than one exit. There are only a very small number of areas that have been barred off.

The galley remains virtually intact, most control panels are still in place throughout, all engines and compressors have been stripped and de-oiled, cables removed, sick bay left pretty much intact (including examination bed and safe), etc, etc (the list goes on). For the adventurous, there are lots of passages and corridors to explore. There are two elevator shafts, two funnels and two escape shafts — all accessible — plus some reasonably "squeezy bits"!

All the committee members who attended were very impressed and commented how they were looking forward to diving her, when she finally goes down. Canberra will have dives suitable for all ranges of divers — from Open Water through to "techies". We just have to get her sunk now!

Fund Raising / Membership - Convenor: Warrick McDonald
All VARS members are encouraged to purchase a T-shirt to support the activities of VARS between now and the scuttling date. This T-shirt is available on order either from VARS or via your local dive store (within Victoria).

Other fund-raising opportunities are also being pursued. These include a very generous offer of artworks from Reg Cox. Reg is a well-known Victorian water-colour artist. He has generously offered a number of limited edition prints as well as an original painting (yet to be painted) of Canberra entering the heads for use by VARS in fund-raising efforts. Watch the web site for further information on this.

Marketing / Promotion - Convenor: Bryan McGoldrick
The planned 3D interactive video is moving a step closer to completion. The ship has now been fully photographed using fish-eye lenses. Work now commences on converting these to video and other formats.

Scuttling Celebration - Celebratory Ball - Convenor: Mick Jeacle
A Celebratory Ball is still scheduled for 18th April. The ball will be held at the Coral Atoll Room at the Melbourne Aquarium and promises to be "THE" event of the year in the dive community. Given the delay in scuttling, it is likely that the date will change so watch this space for information over the next month.

Monday, 16 February 2009: VARS News Update

In Brief

• Ship preparation is now nearly complete
• Scuttling date is yet to be confirmed - however a date towards end-March 2009 seems likely
• Celebratory Ball being planned for 18th April

Sub-Committee Reports

Site Management - Convenor: Alan Beckhurst
A public workshop was held on 3rd February at Barwon Heads to enable community input into aspects of site management and location. The workshop was conducted by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria. Around 45 people attended the workshop representing dive charter operators, private divers, fishermen and other interested parties. Good discussion was had regarding site management and access plans. All input was collated by DSE and Parks and will be used to finalise the management plan.

Ship Preparation - Convenor: Jason Salter
Work on ship preparation is now nearly complete. Birdon estimate that this will be completed by end February or early March.

It is now understood that the Port of Melbourne have agreed to a 4 metre navigation clearance. This is an outstanding result meaning that we have the opportunity to retain substantial portions of the mast array. This will also mean that the site will have improved safety with divers able to complete safety stops using the mast.

However, it should be noted that work will be required in order to make the mast useable and set it up as part of the final prepared ship. This work has not been included in the original budget prepared by Birdon. Consequently, it will be up to VARS to find and secure the necessary funds to achieve this. VARS is now evaluating how this might be achieved and is expecting a positive outcome.

Fund Raising / Membership - Convenor: Warrick McDonald
All VARS members are encouraged to purchase a T-shirt to support the activities of VARS between now and the scuttling date. This T-shirt is available on order either from VARS or via your local dive store (within Victoria).

Other fund-raising opportunities are also being pursued. These include a very generous offer of artworks from Reg Cox. Reg is a well-known Victorian water-colour artist. He has generously offered a number of limited edition prints as well as an original painting (yet to be painted) of Canberra entering the heads for use by VARS in fund-raising efforts. Watch the website for further information on this.

Marketing / Promotion - Convenor: Bryan McGoldrick
A variety of marketing activities including the production of a 3D interactive video are currently being pursued. Some funding has been secured with more being investigated. Close contact has now been established with Geelong Otway Tourism and joint activities are being planned.

Scuttling Celebration - Celebratory Ball - Convenor: Mick Jeacle
A Celebratory Ball is being planned to celebrate the scuttling. This event is now being planned for 18th April and promises to be "THE" event of the year in the dive community. Watch this space for information over the next month. Numbers will be strictly limited - so be ready to book your ticket as soon as the final arrangements have been made.