CODE of CONDUCT

MINIMUM IMPACT DIVING ON HISTORIC SHIPWRECK SITES

DO NOT ENTER ENCLOSED SPACES IN A WRECK* : Penetration of a wreck by divers will accelerate deterioration by damage caused through -even minor and inadvertent- diver contact and through the creation of air pockets by air bubbles trapped within enclosed spaces. This can cause active corrosion of iron structure and bulkheads, especially where protective sediments and marine growths have been damaged or disturbed.

DO NOT PICK UP or DISTURB ANY ARTEFACT: Artefacts may have become exposed as a result of careless finning or environmental conditions. If any exposed artefact is located, it must not to be picked up, handled or removed.

LOOK, BUT DO NOT TAKE* : Even minor disturbance of the wreck and its artefacts can begin or accelerate deterioration. Once items are disturbed, removed and brought to the surface, they will deteriorate if not properly handled and treated by trained conservation experts. Removing artefacts also deprives other divers of seeing the wreck in its pristine state and defeats the purpose of the ‘Underwater Display Case’ concept. Take pictures instead!

EXERCISE PROPER WEIGHT AND BUOYANCY CONTROL: This is the best way to avoid contact with the wreck and the seabed. Divers should definitely not be permitted to dive on wrecks until they are proficient in buoyancy control.

BE AWARE OF FIN PLACEMENT: Take care not to cause damage to the wreck, its protective sediments, the seabed and marine flora by careless finning.

ENSURE THAT DIVE EQUIPMENT IS NOT HANGING LOOSELY: Consoles, gauges and regulators could become entangled with the wreck and protective marine growth damaged as a result.

DO NOT FEED FISH: Fish feeding can change the behaviour of fish, causing them to rely on feeding. This may result in aggressive behaviour and could be dangerous and/or unnerving to divers.

DEPLOY ANCHORS CAREFULLY: On sites where deploying anchors is permitted, skippers are asked to do so carefully; most importantly, to ensure that anchors and chain can not come into contact with the wreck

* Penalties apply to divers who infringe the 'no-penetration' condition at the Yongala wreck and the 'do-not take' condition that applies to all other Australian historic shipwrecks protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).