5 July 2008: VARS News Update
In Brief
Lots of news this month!
- ex-HMAS Canberra is here in Melbourne.
- We introduce our new patron.
- The real work begins - planning and guiding the project towards a successful sinking sometime early in 2009.
'Canberra' Arrives!
It almost happened without anybody noticing.
The Deed of Gift was finally signed in late May and
the successful tenderer appointed (more on this below).
VARS was advised in the last week of May that a large seagoing
tug was already on its way to Rockingham in Western Australia and
would soon begin towing the 138 metre long decommissioned warship
to Geelong in Victoria. At that time, it was expected that it
would take two to three weeks.
In the first week of June we were advised that 'Canberra' had
departed Fleet Base West under tow and was now on her way to her new home.
Various ETAs through Port Phillip Heads were proposed - but of course
these were all dependant on the speed of the tow vessel on route.
At first we believed that it was possible she would transit the
heads on the Monday of Queen's Birthday weekend. This got everybody
pretty excited with the prospect of welcoming her with a large
flotilla of boats. At this stage, we were coordinating on almost
an hourly basis with State Government officials regarding media
opportunities so that we could maximise the publicity opportunities.
As the time got closer, it became apparent that the Monday ETA was
not going to happen. 'Karori' (the tug) and 'Canberra' finally arrived
off Port Phillip Heads at around 2200 on the Monday, 9th June 2008.
It was intended that the tow group cross the rip at 0630 on Tuesday,
10th June 2008, but problems with the tow line shortening delayed this.
So all had to wait until the next tide at 1200 noon.
Two boats from the Dive Victoria Group ('Nemo' and the new 'Sea Dragon'),
plus Henderson Dive's 'Jack' went out to the boarding grounds to greet
Victoria's latest dive attraction. As well as this small welcoming flotilla,
a handful of lucky sightseers at Point Lonsdale's Rip View lookout
were treated to a fine day and a splendid view of the warship on its
way to its final journey.
She entered the bay at noon on Tuesday and slowly made her way up
the South Channel to lie at anchor that evening as the pilots would
not attempt to berth a towed vessel after dark. TV Channels Seven
and Nine News choppers covered the entrance, and Channel Seven landed
to interview Dive Victoria's Jason Salter, VARS president John Lawler,
and Alan Beckhurst.
The event was well reported on the Tuesday, 10th June 6 p.m. news
by Channel Seven and Channel Nine. John Lawler crossed live from
Dive Victoria's new dive boat 'Sea Dragon' to the Jon Faine morning
show (ABC 774) and 3AW. On Wednesday John had a further 10 minute
interview with Mark Bannerman on ABC Radio National at 6.30 a.m.
On Thursday evening Mike Reed had a 15 minute interview on ABC Tasmania
evening program.
This media coverage is aimed at a continual promotion of the
ex HMAS Canberra as the centre piece to make "Victoria a world class
temperate water diving destination."
VARS Announces Our Patron
We are very excited to announce that Lieutenant Commander
(RAN retired) Mackenzie J. Gregory (Mac) has agreed to act as
patron for VARS.
Mac joined the Royal Australian Naval College as a 13 year old
Cadet Midshipman in January, 1936. His term was sent to sea in August 1939,
as war was impending.
Mac, during WW2, served in our three 8inch cruisers, 'Australia', 'Canberra',
and, 'Shropshire', plus in the light cruiser 'Adelaide'. He was the
Officer of the Watch in 'Canberra' when the Battle of Savo Island
commenced at 0143 on August 9, 1942, the night she was sunk.
He was in 'Shropshire' for the Japanese surrender at Tokyo Bay
on 2 September 1945.
Post war, Mac completed the first combined Torpedo Anti-Submarine
Specialist Long course in UK Naval Schools. In his specialist
capacity he served in the destroyers 'Warramunga' and 'Bataan',
at Navy Office, and at the TAS school. From 1950 to 1953 he was
appointed Aide de Camp to His Excellency the Governor General of
Australia at Government House Canberra ("a quite fascinating time"
according to Mac).
Finally, he was Fleet TAS Officer on the staff of the
Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet, in the Carrier
'Vengeance'.
Mac keeps himself busy with research and a bit of writing,
finishing a trilogy about the German Armed Raiders of both World War I
and World War II, and finally the Confederate Armed Raiders of the
American Civil War. He recently finished a work on German Armed
Merchant Ships of World War II 'Marauders of the Sea' and wants
to round it off by covering their counterparts of World War I.
Mac is a fascinating character with a wealth of naval knowledge
and a great store of tales to tell. His network of contacts in the
naval world is second to none. His website (Ahoy - Mac's Weblog - http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/) is dedicated
to all "Who went down to the sea in ships" in World War 2, in whatever
capacity they may have served the cause of freedom, but especially
to the Eighty Four Officers and Men who died in H.M.A.S. Canberra
at the Battle of Savo Island, on the 9th of August, 1942.
We are very grateful to Mac for agreeing to act as our patron and
look forward to working with him as this project progresses.
Preparation for Scuttling Begins
It was a long time coming - but things began to move a bit faster
once the Deed of Gift was signed. Project responsibility for the
preparation and scuttling of the ship responsibility was handed
over to the Defence Material Organisation (DMO) in July 2007.
DMO called for tenders to conduct this work in August 2007 with
Birdon Marine announced as the successful tenderer in May 2008.
Birdon Marine is a family owned business which commenced operations
in 1977. They have a diverse business which includes commercial, luxury,
defence, new builds and marine construction. For more information
visit their website at http://www.birdonmarine.com.au/.
Preparation of the ship will take place in Geelong.
This work is expected to take around six months.
During this time the ship will be stripped of all environmental
and safety hazards, including 25,000 kilometres of wiring, all
insulation, oil, flooring and lead ballast. Access points will be
cut through the vessel so that divers won't get trapped.
Salvageable equipment and materials will be removed and memorabilia
will be taken out and put aside for appropriate memorials.
All toxic substances will be removed; unsafe access areas welded
and barred, decks and doorways opened up, with warning and diver
safety notices installed.
The nature of the work means that there are significant
Occupational Health and Safety hazards that must be carefully
controlled. As the contractor, Birdon has all appropriate measures
in place to ensure management of these OH&S issues. However, this
does mean that any work performed by volunteers will be very limited.
Many volunteers have said that they want to get in and help make the
ship diver safe. It is important to note that Birdon is solely in
charge of the ship until the hand over to the Victorian State Government
for scuttling and therefore because of Worksafe issues access is
strictly limited. Additionally, the ship is alongside a
Customs Security wharf and access is off limits to the public.
Birdon has appointed several expert advisors to assist in making
the ship "diver safe". These experts draw on personal experience
with 8 previous scuttling around Australia to ensure that the best
possible job is done in compliance with relevant Government legislation.
VARS will continue to play an active role over the next six to nine months
leading up to the actual scuttling. Dive site access arrangements still
have to be negotiated and agreed. Engineering plans and specifications
must be drawn up for reef preparation, access and site management.
The final layout of the ship must be such as to maximise the attractiveness
of the wreck as a dive destination. A sub-committee has been established
to work with DMO and Birdon on this aspect. This sub-committee is also
planning to produce a 3D computer model of the wreck that will enable
the viewer to take a "virtual tour". This 3D model will be produced
using the latest in high-technology visualising equipment and will
be a "first" for dive wrecks within Australia.
VARS and Birdon Marine have established a very good working relationship.
The VARS committee is working with the Birdon appointed project manager
and expert advisors as well as with DMO and other relevant government
agencies. Birdon have ensured that appropriate access to the ship has
been provided to committee members to allow them to continue to provide
substantial input as preparation work continues.
Sub-Committee Reports
Site Management - Convenor: Alan Beckhurst
A white paper has now been prepared outlining a possible site management plan.
Input was sought from across the dive industry in preparation of this white paper.
Government authorities have now appointed a consultant to further investigate
and provide a report. Further consultation is now planned with the objective
of finalising details and preparing a proposal to Government over the next
few months.
Ship Preparation - Convenor: Jason Salter
Ship preparation is now underway! As outlined above, it is important
to note that public access is not possible due to the OH&S issues
and the restrictions existing on the wharf. VARS has an excellent
working relationship with Birdon and has been able to gain access
as we need it. Various members of the VARS committee have visited
the ship and the sub-committee is now actively liaising with Birdon
to ensure the best possible outcome for divers and the dive community.
Fund Raising / Membership - Convenor: Warrick McDonald
VARS is now approaching the stage when volunteers will be able to become active.
Additionally, it is also the time when further funds are likely to be required
as the work ramps up. We are continuing to look for members and obtain
financial support to enable work to continue over the coming months
to ensure that the best possible outcome is obtained for the dive community.
Persons who can offer time for the following are requested to contact
Warrick who will put you on to the right person who will be looking
after this event.
- Fund raising
- Membership drive
- T shirt printing and purchase
- Celebration ball to be held just after the sinking
- Memorial monuments. Bellarine and Mornington peninsula
Anyone interested in becoming a member or otherwise offering support
should make contact via the details in the website.
Marketing / Promotion - Convenor: Bryan McGoldrick
The groundwork for a marketing plan has been put together.
Activities are now underway to secure appropriate funding to put the plan into action.
