Scientific divers converge on Cairns for training
Thursday, 3 September 2009 4:29PM
Scientific divers in Cairns
Scientific divers from across Australia have travelled to the far north for a Cairns-first training program.
The 10 divers from as far a field as Western Australia and Tasmania are undertaking a nationally-recognised, two-week commercial scientific dive course.
The course is delivered under an interstate partnership between Tropical North Queensland TAFE and the Underwater Centre Tasmania, a fully accredited Diver Training Establishment under the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).
The participating divers conduct high-end underwater scientific research for private sector companies and research organisations including the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Australian Antarctic Division and the Queensland Museum.
They are completing the ADAS accredited training course Part 1 Restricted at various locations around Cairns and the Atherton Tableland, learning aspects of occupational diving including rescues, communication procedures, dive planning and risk assessments.
Tropical North Queensland TAFE Institute Director Joann Pyne said the Institute was proud to work in partnership with the Underwater Centre Tasmania to offer the training locally.
"This is the first time this dive course has been run in Cairns and it's great to see divers coming from all over Australia to undertake the training," Ms Pyne said.
"We worked collaboratively with the Underwater Centre Tasmania to deliver a Queensland-wide seafood industry dive training program over the last two years and this new course is extending that successful partnership.
"I'm looking forward to building on the strengths of this partnership to establish Cairns and the far north as a national and potentially international dive training destination."
Underwater Centre Tasmania CEO Stephen Clark said he had high hopes for the partnership.
"The Underwater Centre Tasmania has been delivering occupational diver training in Australia and internationally for 15 years," Mr Clark said.
"Our clients come from all over the world to achieve ADAS accreditation through our training facility in Tasmania and we hope this will be the same in Queensland."
Enrolments are now open for a second Part 1 Restricted dive course, due to commence on 5 October, and a seafood industry dive course starting 16 November.
For more information on dive training or to enrol, contact Tropical North Queensland TAFE on 1300 656 959, or visit www.tnqit.tafe.qld.gov.au.
3 September 2009