Hi,
>>... I would agree with the choice of Townsville. Though for the Yongala
>>the OP will have to do a deep dive as he only has a OW license (18m, the
>>Yongala lies between 22 and 30). And I don't think the Yongala is
>>suitable for beginners - they took us out there when I did my AOW and I
>>found the high swell and strong current pretty frightening. It was my
>>8th dive.
>
> Certainly when I dived the Yongala, they let OW divers with 15 dive do it.
That would be against PADI regulations (*) unless they did a Deep Dive
at the same time.
(*) I know, I know... talk about PADI regulations...
> When I did it, the conditions were pretty flat and the current minimal. It
> is an exposed site, so strong winds are going to whip up the swell there.
> The currents are of course tide dependant, but I got the impression the
> operators didn't bother working out the tides and just went out at the
> same time every day.
I think that is true. I was unlucky then. Vis was pretty bad, did not
see much and since I was an absolute beginner I did not enjoy that dive
at all. Getting back into the boat when the swell was 1m is not an
experience I'm particularly fond of.
In short, I think only someone who's reasonable prepared - bit of
experience in deep diving and wreck diving - should go for the Yongala.
Certainly not OWDs who've just finished their licenses. I'm a
conservative diver.
Cheers,
Ralph |