Dive Planning and On-water Safety

Treat offshore trips as weather dependent. If wind or swell rises, operators may cancel for safety.
For the SS Yongala, expect depth near 30 m and current potential. Stay close to the descent line or mooring system, plan gas conservatively, and keep a strict buddy check on ascent.
Carry an SMB and know how to deploy it. Pick up a refresher if you have not dived recently.
On reef days, keep excellent buoyancy and fin control to avoid coral contact. Never stand on the reef, even in shallow lagoons.
In Nov to May, wear a full stinger suit or other approved protection and follow local beach and operator guidance.

Medical Support and Evacuation Reality

Townsville is a regional medical hub for North Queensland and has hyperbaric medicine capability. In a suspected diving injury:

Call emergency services first if the situation is life-threatening.

Dive Planning and On-water Safety

Treat offshore trips as weather dependent. If wind or swell rises, operators may cancel for safety.
For the SS Yongala, expect depth near 30 m and current potential. Stay close to the descent line or mooring system, plan gas conservatively, and keep a strict buddy check on ascent.
Carry an SMB and know how to deploy it. Pick up a refresher if you have not dived recently.
On reef days, keep excellent buoyancy and fin control to avoid coral contact. Never stand on the reef, even in shallow lagoons.
In Nov to May, wear a full stinger suit or other approved protection and follow local beach and operator guidance.

Medical Support and Evacuation Reality

Townsville is a regional medical hub for North Queensland and has hyperbaric medicine capability. In a suspected diving injury:

Call emergency services first if the situation is life-threatening.

From roughly Nov to May, box jellyfish and Irukandji are a real risk in North Queensland. Wear a full stinger suit, follow netted-beach signage, and take operator warnings seriously.

The wet season (generally Nov to Apr) can bring intense rain, lightning storms, and cyclone risk. Build flexibility and consider travel insurance that covers weather disruption.

Yongala is an exposed, deeper dive near 30 m with current potential. Stay close to your buddy, carry an SMB, and do not exceed your training or gas plan.

Parts of the Reef are designated no-anchoring areas to prevent coral damage. Use moorings where provided and avoid dropping anchors on coral or in restricted zones.

Conservation and Rules (this Is Non-negotiable)

The Great Barrier Reef is managed. Follow Responsible Reef Practices: no touching coral, no chasing or feeding wildlife, and no collecting shells or marine life.
Use public moorings where provided and never anchor in designated no-anchoring areas. Anchors can destroy coral in seconds.
The SS Yongala is protected underwater cultural heritage. Do not penetrate the wreck and do not disturb artefacts. Protected zone permit requirements apply.
Dispose of waste properly. Even small plastics can become lethal to turtles and seabirds.

Kontakt	Funktion	Telefon	Erreichbarkeit
Emergency services	Police, Fire, Ambulance	000	24/7
Townsville University Hospital (switchboard)	Hospital emergency and after-hours connection	+61 7 4433 1111	24/7
Townsville University Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit	Hyperbaric physician (dive injuries)	+61 7 4433 2080	Business hours; after hours via hospital switchboard
Divers Alert Network (DAN) emergency hotline	Diving medical assistance and coordination	1800-088-200	24/7 (toll free within Australia)
Poisons Information Centre	Advice for poisonings and bites (Australia)	13 11 26	24/7

Townsville

Townsville

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Wichtigste Risiken

Sicherheit beim Tauchen

Dive Planning and On-water Safety

Medical Support and Evacuation Reality

Sicherheit und Naturschutz

Wichtigste Risiken

Sicherheit beim Tauchen

Dive Planning and On-water Safety

Medical Support and Evacuation Reality

Sicherheit beim Schnorcheln und Freitauchen

Meeresleben und Schutzgebiete

Conservation and Rules (this Is Non-negotiable)

Notfallkontakte