Welcome to our Winter issue of Quickies

Oh. My. Wow! Quicksilver is thrilled to be the Tropical North Queensland host of scUber, the world’s first ride share submarine at Agincourt Reef!

In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Queensland, Australia partnered with Uber to give riders unprecedented access to the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef. The innovative initiative was available to a select number of riders exclusively through the Uber app for the limited time between 27 May and 18 June, in addition to 12 lucky prize winners from the USA, Canada, UK, France, New Zealand and Australia.

Over 152,000 people worldwide entered the competition to win a scUber ride at Agincourt Reef!

Quicksilver Group Managing Director, Tony Baker, commended Tourism Events Queensland and Uber on the success of this amazing initiative. “With scUber stationed off Quicksilver’s Agincourt Reef platform between 8-18 June we have been delighted to showcase to scUber riders and world-wide media the health, vibrancy and biodiversity of this stunning reef system.”

In a submarine similar to that used by Sir David Attenborough in the Blue Planet series, scUber passengers have been able to explore the Reef in depths of up to 30 metres with 180 degree views, all while seated comfortably and staying dry!

Our very own intrepid adventurers and marine biologist extraordinaires, Doug Baird and Dr Glen Burns, had the honour of taking the first scUber submarine dive at Agincourt Reef to map out the ride route and explore this incredible section of reef.

scUber was launched on Heron Island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region before moving to Agincourt Reef.

Uber will be donating $100,000 to Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef to help support their Reef conservation programs as well as donating the equivalent value of every scUber ride taken during the campaign.

The first of two brand new Nautilus Airbus H130 helicopters has touched down, fittingly sporting Quicksilver's signature silver livery. 

The new helicopter arrived in Cairns on 31 May piloted by Nautilus CEO, Aaron Finn and joining the delivery flight was Quicksilver Managing Director, Tony Baker. With Quicksilver livery, the luxury aircraft has now entered service offering an exciting new visitor experience to Quicksilver passengers. Based in Port Douglas, the helicopter will specifically provide helicopter transfers to and from Agincourt Reef and scenic flights departing from the floating helicopter pad.

Unique in North Queensland to Nautilus Aviation’s operation the Airbus H130 seats up to 7 passengers and can carry up to 600kg in payload. The additional seat makes it possible for more visitors on board Quicksilver Cruises to see the magic of the Great Barrier Reef from above on a scenic flight.

Aaron Finn, Nautilus Aviation CEO said, “The arrival of the first of two new H130’s further strengthens our new relationship with the Quicksilver Group and underlines significant investment in the Far North’s tourism industry. The new helicopters will be based in Cairns and Port Douglas and raise the quality of visitor experience that international visitors are accustomed to elsewhere in the world. With safety being the number one priority at Nautilus Aviation, together with our 26-year accident free record the Airbus H130’s 2.3 million recorded flight hours we offer one of the safest platforms in the helicopter industry.

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said, “We are very excited to see the new silver Quicksilver branded helicopter in Port Douglas and flying out over Agincourt Reef. Nautilus Aviation is a wonderful partner and their investment in this fantastic new helicopter reflects the commitment of both our companies to work together to showcase the amazing vistas of the Great Barrier Reef from the air for our customers." 

The second factory new Airbus H130 helicopter is expected in late July 2019 and will sport Great Adventures' livery, dedicated to our Cairns based Outer Reef and Green Island experiences. 

Dr Glen Burns is one of Quicksilver’s Senior Marine Biologists, Master Reef Guide and fondly called “Dr Google” when it comes to all things Great Barrier Reef! Here Glen answers some important questions about the Great Barrier Reef for @Queensland IGTV.

Glen began his long association as a marine biologist with Quicksilver 30 years ago, back in 1989. With a PHD in Zoology Glen taught Tropical Marine Science for Long Island University, New York for 12 years, bringing American students to Australia on summer programs to study the Great Barrier Reef. Before returning to Australia and once again joining the Quicksilver crew in 2012, he taught Marine Biology and Environmental Science in Florida for five years.

Passionate about coral reefs and rainforests throughout the world, Glen chooses to live in Tropical North Queensland because “You can dive on a World Heritage coral reef in the morning, splash about under a waterfall in a World Heritage jungle in the afternoon and still be home in time for dinner and a movie!”

He spends most of his time in a pineapple under the sea, but on Saturday 8 June to celebrate "World Oceans Day", the famous children's character SpongeBob SquarePants had the opportunity to explore the Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver!

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand have partnered with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef to launch "Junior Citizens of the Reef". SpongeBob and his #ReefSquad were joined by young social media influencers, Alex Hayes, Morgan Hipworth and Harvey Petito as ambassadors for Junior Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.

While at the Quicksilver's Agincourt Reef platform the boys got to dive in and experience first hand the beauty of the reef and why we are so passionate about protecting its future.

Kids are encouraged to sign up as a Junior Citizen at nick.com.au/reefsquad to learn more about how we can all make a difference when it comes to protecting the oceans and the reef systems with small actions, watch Reef videos and learn Reef facts.

It was an early 8am start for the fit and fantastic as nearly 200 swimmers hit Green Island’s clear waters for the annual Quicksilver Reef Swim, the warm-up ocean swim for the Ironman Cairns event.

With 1.5 km and 3 km swims, competitors had the unique experience of swimming in the Great Barrier Reef seeing turtles, coral bommies and colourful reef fish as they tackled the course.

For the 8^th year since the event started, we were delighted to welcome swimmers from all over the world to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef. Local and Australian swimmers joined an international field from as far as Canada, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and US.

Congratulations to all the competitors and we look forward to another great event in 2020!

On the holiday of a lifetime to Australia from Alabama USA, Andrew had a secret plan to surprise his sweetheart, Connie. Meticulously and secretly planned before arriving in Australia, it was 4 metres (about 13ft) below the water in an Oceanwalker helmet dive in the Great Barrier Reef that Andrew popped the question! Now that’s taking the plunge!

The Quicksilver crew were delighted to play a part in the planning of this wonderful surprise, from preparing the underwater proposal sign to having the champagne ready for the happy couple on emerging from the water!

Connie said, “It was an incredible experience, and I have to brag on my sweetheart, he did an amazing job organizing such a special moment, despite the time challenge! The crew on the ship did a great job at making us feel very special.”

Congratulations and we wish Connie and Andrew a future filled with happiness and fond memories always of their visit to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.

With the theme of this year’s Port Douglas Carnivale of “Silver and Sunshine”, it’s no wonder Quicksilver had it in the bag! Congratulations to the fabulous Quicky crew on winning the best overall float in the annual street parade, celebrating 25 years of this wonderful event.

With an amazing replica of wavepiercer Quicksilver VIII built by our talented workshop team, the dazzling crew adorned in silver, shimmied and danced along the main street of Port Douglas, amid an array of floats created by enthusiastic local community groups and businesses. We can’t wait till next year!

Quicksilver was also the proud sponsor of the Quicksilver Beach Day held on beautiful Four Mile Beach, with fun and entertainment for the whole family. Sand sculpting, salsa moves, kids activities, markets stalls, kite flying and beach hockey were part of this wonderful community event.

Stay tuned for information about the 2020 Port Douglas Carnivale, It’s a great time to visit our tropical home!

Wavedancer, Quicksilver’s luxury 30 metre sailing catamaran is now boasting a one million dollar facelift after an extensive four month long refit. And she’s looking good!

As reported in our last issue of Quickies, the total refit - from floor to ceiling, saw the vessel completely gutted and internal layout re-designed, while mechanically, two new engines and generators were installed to complement sailing with all new rigging.

The main cabin arrangement includes new seats and tables with new configurations along with a large internal bar and servery area for the lunch service. Celebrating the all new look, a lovely new addition to Wavedancer’s day is a glass of bubbly for guests to enjoy on the return journey as Wavedancer sails back into Port Douglas to finish the day in style.

“Wavedancer is looking fantastic and with just over $1million invested, we are very pleased to re-launch her to resume sailing to Low Isles,” said Tony Baker, Managing Director of the Quicksilver Group.

“Quicksilver’s engineering team and BSE Cairns Slipways worked tirelessly to keep Wavedancer’s refurbishment schedule on track.  I would also like to thank all the local contractors who helped with the project. We will always look firstly to use local companies where possible. They understand how important it is to work alongside our crew so we can ensure our vessels and products are to the standard of a five star premium reef product.”

Wavedancer’s refit reflects the company’s commitment to our local tourism industry and will ensure our passengers have the newest and best facilities available to enjoy their reef cruise. 

After winning the Cairns Ironman race for the second consecutive year, Braden Currie took a load off and celebrated with an amazing scUber experience.

It's not every day you see a yellow, porous, pant-wearing icon on the Great Barrier Reef! We were delighted to host SpongeBob SquarePants and the Nickelodeon team aboard Quicksilver for a day at Agincourt Reef.

The Quicksilver crew delighted to welcome aboard 11 year old US actress, Ariana Greenblatt, for a day at Agincourt Reef. Ariana was in Australia filming "Monster Problems" for Paramount Partners scheduled for a 2020 release.  The young Ariana gained international recognition for her performance as Young Gamora in Marvel's 2018 film "Avengers Infinity Wars". 

Many of you will know the always delightful Michelle Mesken from Green Island Resort's Front Office. Congratulations to Michelle on her recent promotion taking on the role of Rooms Division Manager, in addition to Front Office.

Welcome to Marsha Franklin, Green Island Resort’s newly appointed Assistant General Manager. Marsha brings with her a wealth of management experience within all facets of the hospitality industry and will work alongside General Manager Sue O’Donnell overseeing the day to day operations of our beautiful island resort.

Congratulations to Charlie Wilkes on his recent promotion, taking on the role of Green Island Resort’s Acting Head Chef. Charlie has worked with the Resort for nearly five years and has been a driving force in the delivery of amazing gourmet creations at the signature restaurant, Emeralds.

“I enjoy being creative and developing the staff that I have around me, encouraging them to better themselves and letting them experiment with new things. It’s not an ‘I can do this’, it’s we can achieve anything if we can do this all together as a team," said Charlie.

We’re excited to see the wonderful dishes Charlie and his talented kitchen brigade create with the bounty of Tropical North Queensland's local produce.