Welcome to our Summer issue of Quickies

Fresh from a $1.1 million refit, the 24 metre dive and snorkel catamaran Poseidon has relaunched as an exciting adventure ecotourism product. Designed for small groups of experienced divers and snorkellers, Poseidon offers a boutique experience with access to exclusive remote reef sites, expert marine interpretation and citizen science.

The mechanical refit provides the ideal platform having been repowered with two new generation sustainable fuel compliant engines.

Quicksilver Group Managing Director, Tony Baker said, “This investment and premium product will address a gap in the market for a high level Great Barrier Reef interpretive experience for visitors to our region, in particular for more experienced divers and those seeking to actively engage in conservation initiatives while enjoying an incredible Great Barrier Reef adventure.” 

Operating from Port Douglas, the day trip visits three different reef sites from our exclusive, remote group of Agincourt ribbon reef sites at the edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. The clear outer reef waters, remarkable coral and marine life diversity offer some of the best possible day boat diving and snorkelling experiences.

Passenger numbers are capped at 65 with a high staff ratio including qualified marine biologists for a personalised, immersive experience. 

With experienced divers in mind, an additional dive tender which can carry up to ten people can be used for drift diving and guided marine interpretation snorkel tours. For next-level personalisation, private guided dives are also available.

Our marine biologists join guests at each site and offer interpretation as they snorkel over the amazing coral gardens of the Agincourt reefs. Passengers will also have the opportunity to observe and participate in a monitoring survey (Eye on the Reef Rapid Monitoring, a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority initiative).

Bringing in a citizen science component, passengers will be able to assist our Reef Biosearch biologist in counting an assortment of marine life during a timed swim and then watch as the biologist conducts a benthic survey. 

As well as Poseidon’s new generation engines, a new generator is expected to further reduce emissions, with the added bonus of facilitating an onboard hot water system for freshwater showers after a salty day. 

The operation has also invested in all new premium dive and snorkel equipment above industry standard. From high-end silicone and wide field-of-vision masks to separate fins designed for snorkel performance as well as fins designed to give incredible manoeuvrability and thrust for divers, and brand new dive computers with multiple dive modes, passengers will be equipped for every experience level.

About Poseidon’s new generation engines

Poseidon has been repowered with two Rolls-Royce mtu 8V2000 series commercial marine engines supplied by Penske Australia. These engines have received a clean fuel certification for HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and other EN15940 fuels (synthetically produced diesel fuels) which have demonstrated up to 90% CO2 emissions reduction.

The engine refit was a huge project and a collaboration with Quicksilver’s Engineering Team, Penske Australia and local marine contractors. 

“With our previous investment in retrofitting wavepiercing catamarans Quicksilver V and Quicksilver VIII with sustainable fuel engines (mtu 16V2000M72), our fleet will be ready to lead the way with these environmentally-friendly, sustainable fuels when the HVO fuel becomes commercially available in Australia,” said Tony Baker.

Pictured: Dive instructor Kelsey Rackham and marine biologist Heather Hill.

Some of our Reef Biosearch team of marine biologists were in their element working with a team from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) to collect coral spawn from this year’s annual mass spawning event on the GBR.

Part of a training initiative for Cairns and Port Douglas marine industries, including tourism,  it was all about how to use the innovative coral larval seeding technique known as Coral IVF. 

This saw members of our Reef Biosearch teams embark on overnight missions to capture millions of coral eggs and sperm in specially designed floating larval pools set up in our case, at Agincourt Reef 5.

The delicate spawn bundles stayed in the nursery pools for up to a week as they developed into coral babies. Then they were placed onto selected reefs with sections of coral rubble where they can grow into healthy young corals, bringing new life.

Quicksilver Group’s Environment & Compliance Manager Phil Coulthard said, “Site stewardship programs to look after our local reef sites have been a core focus for the Quicksilver Group historically, however to boost resilience against future environmental stresses, there needs to be co-operative actions within the marine tourism industry and through partnerships with other industries, government, traditional owners and of course our science community.

“Projects like this are the perfect example. The last few weeks have been an incredible opportunity for our team to work alongside other industry operators and the Australian Institute of Marine Science to learn more about coral intervention techniques which we hope will not only benefit reefs locally, but also become a platform for expansion projects both here on the GBR and for reefs worldwide.”

But the highlight of course was the chance to again witness the world’s greatest synchronized spawning event out at Agincourt Reef off Port Douglas. The sheer scale of the event was awe-inspiring and is a testament to the resilience and beauty of our Great Barrier Reef. To witness billions of individual animals managing to release smelly eggs and sperm at the same time is not only a miracle of nature, but also reinforces the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems and their dependence on environmental predictability.”

Green Island Resort’s outstanding environmental practices have been recognised amongst the nation’s top hotels at the 2024 Australian Hotel Association Awards for Excellence.

Representing Queensland, the boutique eco resort took out the national award for “Excellence in  Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practise”, highlighting innovative environmental practises and long-term commitment to sustainability, all while delivering an exceptional guest experience in a very unique and challenging location.

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said, “While a small resort of just 46 rooms, we are very proud of the sustainability measures we have been able to introduce to an island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.”

In addition to refurbishing our public areas we have also made a significant investment on Green Island Resort’s ‘back-of-house’ facilities – with integrated energy-efficient technologies over one-quarter of the island’s energy needs are now solar powered, again not an easy task on a rainforest covered island, and innovative waste management practices turn food waste into organic fertiliser.”

The resort also provides sustainable off-grid essential services such as tertiary sewage treatment, desalination and power plants to service the island’s other facilities, and public facilities for day visitors.

Accepting the award at the gala presentation in Brisbane, Green Island Resort General Manager Sue O’Donnell said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised nationally with this award. We’re privileged to live and work in a very special place and are very proud of what we do to help protect the island’s natural ecosystem and foster environmental awareness among guests.

Everyone contributes to ensure we follow best practice and this award is testament to our team's dedication to preserving the unique natural beauty of Green Island and minimising our footprint. It’s so rewarding to see staff invested in proactive projects such as upcycling and recycling through to organising beach clean-up events.

“We offer our guests complimentary marine biologist guided activities, and even ‘back-of-house’ tours where they are blown away with the infrastructure in such a small footprint and also with our diligence to waste management.”

Quicksilver Dive’s Port Douglas Training Centre has been recognised for “Outstanding Contribution to Diver Training” by PADI, the world’s largest dive training organisation’s annual Outstanding Contribution Awards.

The Outstanding Contribution to Diver Training by PADI recognises Quicksilver Dive’s high standards of diver education including adaptive techniques, and growth in certifications.

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said, “This is a wonderful acknowledgement to Quicksilver Dive’s team of instructors and the calibre of training they consistently deliver. This award also acknowledges last year’s achievement of becoming the first PADI Adaptive Service Facility in Queensland, opening up the world of scuba to people with special needs. The whole team are to be congratulated for a truly progressive and safe learning environment for diver education.”

PADI Regional Manager Australia, Annie Halloran said, “Quicksilver Dive was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award for Diver Training in 2023, achieving a remarkable 47% increase in certifications and becoming one of Australia’s pioneering Adaptive Techniques Centres.  This exceptional performance led us to recognise Quicksilver Dive with this prestigious accolade.”

“The Outstanding Contribution Awards are presented annually and are reserved for select PADI Retail and Resort Association Members in each region who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the industry.“

Chris Snel, Quicksilver Dive School Operations Manager said, “We strive for quality education for all levels of diver training - not only for entry level such as Open Water Divers and Discover Scuba Divers, but also Rescue Divers and Dive Masters.

Our instructors are dedicated to delivering the highest possible education so our students feel confident about their achievements.  We are honoured to be recognised by PADI with this award and will continue to develop our team and deliver life-changing achievements for our students.”

Pictured: Annie Halloran, PADI Regional Manager Australia with Chris Snel, Quicksilver Dive Operations Manager.

Postcard nostalgia in the digital age – Wish you were here!

Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises, along with Green Island Resort, have been celebrating 100 years since regular tourist cruises commenced from Cairns to Green Island by embracing the nostalgia of yesteryear.

It was in 1924 when the pioneering Hayles family started a fortnightly ferry service to Green Island. By 1988, the company was sold and renamed Great Adventures, continuing an iconic legacy of Green Island and Great Barrier Reef tourism.

To celebrate the incredible 100 year milestone, a collection of commemorative postcards and a specially built Green Island Post Box are the centrepiece, bringing together the nostalgic novelty of physically writing and mailing a postcard in the instantaneous digital age.

“Visitors are now able to share their island holiday with family and friends through handwritten postcards mailed right here from Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef,” said Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director.

“Adding to the novelty of posting a card, a special AR feature via a QR code on the post box enables a unique photo opportunity with an underwater scene - bridging the old with new technology. And from the recipient’s end, it will also be a wonderful surprise to receive a letter in the mail that isn’t a bill!”

Green Island has played an important role in Tropical North Queensland’s tourism industry and has a remarkable history - including the world’s first glass bottom boat and stationary underwater observatory.

Today, the love affair with Green Island continues globally as one of the most popular day visitor islands on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Green Island Post Box, built with traditional craftsmanship by the Green Island Resort workshop team is located at the island Information Counter. Special commemorative postcards and stamps are available for purchase from the island Dive Shop.

Fun Facts:

• The world’s first glass bottom boat was launched at Green Island in 1937 by Hayles. It was a simple small wooden dinghy with glass floats overhanging the sides. By 1948 a more modern version of the glass bottom boat was introduced with glass panels inserted into the floorboards.
• Green Island was home to the world’s first stationary underwater observatory which was installed in 1954. It was famously visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1970.
• Tourism on the Great Barrier Reef started on Green Island. In 1889 there were several Fijian style grass huts on the island that were hired out for fishing expeditions. In 1937, the Cairns Town Council granted Hayles the first tourism facilities lease to build small scale accommodation on the island – this would later be redeveloped into the Green Island Resort of today.

We’re pleased to introduce a range of private guiding products to provide truly personalised and tailored Great Barrier Reef experiences.

Whether it be guests wishing to learn more about the incredible environment with a private marine biologist snorkel adventure, or those desiring an impactful and private scuba experience tailored to their skill level, to a fully escorted day, expert staff will create memorable and life-enhancing experiences.

The following private guided experiences are available to be pre–booked.

• Marine Biologist - Exclusive Snorkel Adventure
• Private Guiding (Dive & Snorkel)
• Liveaboard Trip – Private Dive Guide
• Exclusive Day Trip Escort

Check out the flyer here for more details.

You’re never too young to catch the scuba bug! Well, you do need to be at least 10 years old—but after that, the underwater world is your playground! Recently, a group of adventurous kids had an absolute blast undertaking their PADI Junior Open Water Diver certifications with Pro Dive Cairns.

Now ready for underwater escapades, the Junior Open Water Diver course is like the adult certification program, but with smaller teacher-to-student ratios and shallower depth limits. Perfect for kids aged 10 to 15 who love the water (and can swim), this course sets young divers on a path to become full-fledged Open Water Divers at 15.

• Ages 10-11: Must dive with a PADI professional, a certified parent or guardian, and cannot exceed a depth of 12 metres (40 feet).
• Ages 12-14: Must dive with a certified adult and cannot exceed 18 metres (60 feet) depth.
• PADI Junior Open Water Divers can automatically become Open Water Divers at the age of 15.

Contact Pro Dive Cairns for more info and let the underwater adventures begin!

  Albert Jindra

Our Marine Biologists and Master Reef Guides Dr Glen Burns and Bekki Hull were thrilled to have the opportunity to talk about their passion and how tourism is involved in reef conservation at the Nation’s capital.

Joining Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s CEO Mark Olsen, Bekki and Glen spoke at The Parliamentary Friends of the Reef event held at Parliament House, Canberra.

Parliamentary Friends of the Reef co-chairs Senator Nita Green and Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, invited 40 guests including MPs and industry leaders to hear about the work to promote and conserve the Great Barrier Reef.

Congratulations to our newest Master Reef Guides, Quicksilver marine biologist Heather Platt, Great Adventures marine biologists Cara McMeel and Teresa Souyet, and Dive Instructor Michael Holliday.

Across the Group, we have 13 Master Reef Guides, ready to share their passion about the wonderful World Heritage environment we are lucky to call home.

Through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Master Reef Guide program, they are recognised as expert interpreters and storytellers whose role is to share the wonders of the Reef through engaging, entertaining and educational experiences. Join them for a guided snorkel tour, dive, island walk or just a chat onboard!

Launched in 2019, the Master Reef Guide program for High Standard Operators is delivered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, and Tourism and Events Queensland. 

Main photo, left to right: Teresa, Heather, Michael and Cara.

Congratulations to the Gifted Global Green 2024 winners of the Yirrganydji Living STEM Award - Whitfield State High School.

We’re pleased to have partnered with Sea Country Education with a prize of a fabulous trip aboard Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay.

The award is open to Year 5 Students in the Far North Queensland region for environmental projects that promote sustainability. This bright group of students have created a wonderful green space at their school in a suburban area, featuring a pathway and outdoor learning space with educational clips via QR codes about the birds and cultural significance of the plants. 

It’s wonderful to see these young eco champions leading the way for a sustainable future and having fun while doing it.

In harmony with Quicksilver’s goals to protect our natural environment, our merchandise team have been striving to provide a range of eco-friendly merchandise products too, for our customers to souvenir and wear with pride contributing to a more sustainable future.

Introducing the ‘Q’ brand of garments, some of our talented crew had a blast modelling some of the clothing items on Four Mile Beach recently. All products are made from responsibly sourced organic fibres that are breathable and soft, as well as garments like  swimwear, being made from recycled plastics and other discarded sea waste. 

When you pop into the Quicksilver shop at the Port Douglas Marina, you’ll also find many wonderful locally sourced and made products like photography and jewellery to name just a few.

Thanks to our talented models and crew – Abbey Harris, Eliza Bajorek, Jaimi & Malakai Byrne, Gus Welsh and Nathan De Bono.

  Albert Jindra

Guests and crew aboard dive and snorkel vessel Silversonic were witness to a rare sighting of an Omura's whale while enroute to Agincourt Reef. The first recorded sighting of an Omura's whale in the Great Barrier Reef was confirmed by the Reef Authority in December 2016, and was only formally identified as a species in 2003.

The whale, estimated to be 12 metres in length, was sighted near Undine Cay at 9:20am. Skipper Shane Down stopped the vessel and was able to identify the whale as lucky passengers were able to catch a glimpse of it.

“I saw the whale after seeing the blow and there was a commotion on the surface. Approximately 200 metres away, we could see a big white patch under water and I believe it was the pleats of the throat stretched out after taking a big gulp of food. It also turned around and headed back to the south-east then back around to the west - I'm guessing to get some more food as they lunge feed.”

Despite the rare confirmed sightings, Shane has recorded these whales for many years and said it’s great to see a rare whale in our waters, usually seen between November and February.

Quicksilver Group Environment and Compliance Manager and cetacean expert, Phil Coulthard said, “Generally it’s unusual to see whales during our summer as we associate the humpbacks and minke whales with the cooler months, so it’s certainly a treat to see an Omura's whale at this time of year.”

The Omura's whale is one of the smallest members of the rorqual whales, and about which very little is known. At first they were thought to be a smaller “dwarf” or “pygmy” form of Bryde’s whale or possibly a dwarf Fin whale due to their similar patterns of makings. They may in fact be more closely related to their much larger relative, the Blue whale.

Omura's whales are found in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean, primarily in shelf waters with the majority of recordings in the Tropics.

  Shane Down

The annual mass coral spawning event is the most spectacular spectacle, so it was quite fitting to have a spectacualr sunset greet the crew undertaking the Coral IVF initiative at Agincourt Reef.

"Calm before the Spawn" (thank you Phil!) on the evening of 20 November shows the specially designed floating larval collection pools. (See main story)

  Bekki Hull

Congratulations to Arek Mszyca, taking on the helm of Pro Dive Cairns as the new General Manager.

Arek joined Pro Dive Cairn in 2002, and with a short hiatus, has worked in a number of different roles - initially as an Instructor, as a skipper on our liveaboard boats and most recently as Marine Operations Manager. So you could say he knows the business from all angles! Arek is looking forward to the challenge and steering Pro Dive Cairns into the future.

Green Island Resort is thrilled to announce Frank Dummel has rejoined the team as Executive Chef. "It’s great to come back and take up a new challenge. How could you not come back to an island paradise with great people?!"

Frank was Executive Chef at Green Island Resort 18 years ago, and now with his son heading off to university and having run a successful offsite catering company in Cairns, the call of Green Island was too good to refuse. We look forward to seeing (and tasting!) Emeralds Restaurant's newly inspired menu soon.