A Diving Venture of Uncommon Enterprise.
Join Our Marine Conservation Adventure!
Are you passionate about the ocean and eager to make a difference? We’re embarking on an exciting project that combines diving, exploration, and conservation, and we need your support!
About the Project
With a rich background in engineering and boat building across Western Australia, I’ve spent over 20 years diving in the beautiful yet challenging waters from Perth to the Rowley Shoals and into the Kimberleys. My experiences have shown me the urgent need to address marine pollution, illegal poaching, and the impact of undocumented immigration on our precious island ecosystems.
The Boat
If you have reviewed the introductory article titled “Venture Details” on the homepage, you will notice that we must select one of two new boats, and maybe another should I find a used gem of a boat at the right price.. This decision is essential due to potential limitations in fundraising, which may be impacted by the current global financial climate.
I will start with the most basic option first and work upwards. The funding includes the selected boat, equipment including cameras, diving gear, ROV, Drones, food, fuel, occasional Motel stay, licences, insurances, permits, the list goes on.
Venture option #1 of 2
The $250,000 option.
The most basic boat that I feel is suitable for the venture based on a price limitation of $250,000, is the Quintrex 610 Territory Legend that is a Rear Centre Console aluminium boat. This boat was specifically designed for the short chop wave action that Northern Territory boaters face. It is built in Queensland and having owned several Quintrex boats in my time, even though I am aa aluminium boat builder, I can attest to their quality.
Price includes a Mercury Pro XS 175 HP outboard motor which has a 4-stroke engine that is well suited to this boat. Trailer is aluminium built specifically for this model by Quintrex themselves.
Looking down on the Quintres 6.1 Territory Legend
In front of the console there is a casting deck that is raised some 300mm above the deck. There are 2 hatches on this raised deck, giving copious amounts of room for storage. The centre console is rear mounted with the seating as far back as possible, giving the occupants both a dry and comfortable ride as this area of the vessel has minimum pounding in a seaway. The seats are fitted with spigots, so they can be moved around when the boat is at rest.
If we go with this boat, I will build a hardtop to give us shielding from the sun and the platform to carry some of the electronics. I do not have an image of this hard top as it would be built ‘on the fly’ so to speak. A hard top as can be viewed in Option #2 of 3 is close to what I would build if this Option #1 is selected. Fuel is carried in 2 separate fuel tanks giving a total of 240 litres. Depending on the load being carried at the time, I can expect a range of just over 300 kilometres. I apologise for you nautical guys who are used to knots, nautical miles etc, but most people can hopefully understand the metric equivalent.
Centre console looking forward with two seats fitted in the forward position. No electronics fitted on this boat being photographed.
This is the fully forward hatch on the raised deck
Forward hatch on 6.1
Rear Hatch 6.1 Legend
Quintrex Legend on Trailer
Venture option #2 of 2
The $320,000 option.
Stepping up the funding a notch, brings us to the next affordable boat that is also a ‘Rear Centre Console’ but larger, being 7.8 metres LOA with a beam of 2.7 metres (over width requiring a placard when towing).
The hard top for the Quintrex would be similar to the above boat’s hardtop. This 2nd option boat would be built with a similar hardtop, only slightly larger.
The drawings for a 7.8 metre Rear Centre Console have yet to be drawn, however, the above vessel is similar to the wider and longer 7.8 metre boat. You will notice that the above 7.5 metre boat is a Centre Console and not a Rear Centre Console as would be built. With the Rear Centre Console on the proposed boat, I would fit 2 x 200hp Mercury Outboards, a high top speed and good fuel economy with added redundancy and better manoeuvrability. The image below attests to the solid designs from Sherwood Marine.
Sherwood hull under construction
Sherwood hull under construction
The construction of Sherwood hulls are strong yet relatively light. This gives better top speed and economy from a very strong vessel. I would personally build the boat with the assistance of an offsider to help with lifting, cleaning and general labouring etc. The other advantage of building this boat is that I can modify and/or add customised features that would aid us in the venture. Costs of doing any custom work is negligible.
Motor Jacks and Propellers for both Options.
The Jacks and Sharrow propellers will allow us to travel over shallow ground and will increase speed and fuel economy due to the combined advantages of both options.
Sharrow Propellers.
Stainless Steel Sharrow Design Propeller
These outrageous looking propellers are gaining popularity due to the increases in speed and economy that they generate when fitted to larger outboard motors. Here is a YouTube video on testing Sharrow propellers.
Below we have an image of the Atlas Motor Jack
Hydraulic Jack 10″
Atlas Motor Jacks.
Motor Jacks, if you are new to the concept, are bolted onto the transom and extend out 10 inches in our case, allowing the engines to run in cleaner water away from the transom. The motors can then be lifted on the run, to enable the best running position giving comfort with better speed and economy. When in shallow water, the engines can be lifted further, without tilting, allowing the boat to traverse shoaling waters with less likelihood of damaging the propellers. The Atlas Jacks are renown for their quality and innovation.
Purpose and Mission
This project is not simply a diving expedition. It is a comprehensive conservation and research initiative aimed at documenting and studying the marine ecosystems in some of the most remote areas of Australia’s coastline. Using a combination of drones, an ROV, and high-quality cameras, we will capture thousands of images and hours of video footage to create a detailed record of these untouched regions. This documentation will contribute valuable data to environmental and conservation organizations, universities, and research institutions.
QYSEA FiFish V6 Expert ROV
QYSEA FiFish V6 Expert ROV
In addition to our conservation efforts, we will also work closely with local communities and Indigenous groups, respecting their knowledge and gaining necessary permissions to operate in certain areas. We will upload regular updates and footage to YouTube and other platforms, generating income to support the ongoing costs of the project.
These tools will assist us in gathering precise data on water quality, marine life, and environmental conditions. The boat will also be equipped with an 18-mile radar, a depth sounder, side-scan sonar, navigation and two transom-mounted underwater cameras to ensure we can navigate and document even the most challenging areas.
The Expedition
The project is planned to span approximately two years, broken into two 10-month periods, with frequent breaks for weather conditions, maintenance, and rest. We will start from Lancelin in Western Australia and proceed north, exploring the Monte Bello Islands, Rowley Shoals, Buccaneer Archipelago, and the Kimberley region, among many other locations. Along the way, we will survey previously unexplored reefs and islands, creating a comprehensive database of the area’s island marine life and environmental health. For a more comprehensive breakdown of the venture, visit here.
In addition to the scientific work, we will also engage in eco-tourism, capturing the beauty and biodiversity of the region through our images and videos. These will be sold online, with proceeds helping to fund the project and support ongoing conservation efforts.
Our goal is to gather vital data through underwater video and photography, documenting pollution levels and marine life in previously uncharted waters. We’ll conduct water sampling and engage with universities and conservation groups to share our findings.
Seeking a Dive Partner
I am currently looking for a committed diving partner with a background in marine biology or a related field, to join me for the duration of the project. This is a significant commitment, and compensation will be arranged in a way that offsets costs and provides financial support for the individual. This venture is non-profit, and volunteers are welcome to join for short-term trips, with the core team consisting of a small, dedicated group of three.
Project Highlights:
- Exploration of Northern Australia: From the Houtman Abrolhos Islands to the Monte Bello Islands, then up to the Kimberly’s, we’ll cover numerous sites, many of which have never been explored by divers before.
- Advanced Technology: We’ll equip the boat with cutting-edge equipment, including drones, underwater cameras, and an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), to capture high-quality images and video. A comprehensive list of equipment and costings is availa, just contact me.
- Environmental Focus: By collaborating with universities and conservation organizations, we aim to shed light on the pressing issues facing our marine ecosystems.
Join Our Crew
I am currently seeking a dedicated scuba diver to join me on the boat full time, preferable with a passion for marine biology and conservation. If you can be involved with the project now, in the early stages of setting up that would be a real plus. Hopefully you will be available for a period of 10 months, so those of you interested, please reach out! Experience in photography or videography is a plus, but a willingness to learn and contribute is essential. As for students or sponsors that wish to be involved on shorter periods, please get back to me.
What We’re Looking For (I know I have already said this, but…)
- Diving Experience: Ideally, you should be a certified scuba diver. Not mandatory.
- Culinary Skills: If you can cook, that’s a huge bonus!
- Interest in Marine Biology: Your knowledge will enhance our project and help us make a greater impact. University students please note.
- Living Arrangements: Crew members will occasionally share the boat at night in crocodile infested areas though we will mainly camp on shore. The boat will have both a toilet and shower with limited water, though there will be a Desalinator onboard, capable of 80 litres/hour.
There is a mountain of work yet to be done and that includes planning the venture and how we are going to coordinate the results back at our base. Currently I am working out of an office in Yanchep, West Australia which is not really conducive to students wanting to get involved, as they are likely to reside in Perth.
Office Manager Opportunity:
If you’re passionate about supporting an exciting venture, we are looking for an Office Manager to coordinate operations both remotely and on-site. This part time role will involve managing donor relations, overseeing payments for fuel, food, and other boat-related expenses, and handling the digital presence, including managing images and videos for YouTube and the web.
You can perform these tasks from a home office or any other suitable location. We will provide all the necessary equipment, including a computer, three 40″ monitors, storage drives, and office supplies like a printer.
Timeline: We aim to start in late 2025, with a comprehensive plan in place to ensure safety and success. Finance will determine the actual starting date of the project and the boat selection.
Get Involved
If you’re excited about the prospect of diving into conservation work, exploring pristine waters, and documenting your findings, we want to hear from you! Please contact me at maxxus50@gmail.com or fill out the contact form on this website.
Together, we can make a difference, however small, in preserving Australia’s incredible marine environments. Thank you for reading about this unique opportunity!
Take care,
Max