Mirage Dive

On 14 July 2026, Underwater Australasia delivered an advanced QYSEA E-Master ROV Operator Training Course for participants from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) at the outstanding SIMS facilities in Chowder Bay, NSW.

The training combined comprehensive classroom instruction with practical field operations, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to safely deploy and operate professional underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for marine science, environmental monitoring and underwater inspection applications.

The morning theory sessions, conducted within SIMS' excellent lecture facilities, covered the complete lifecycle of professional ROV operations. Course modules included

Introduction

If you've ever tried swapping a macro or wide-angle wet lens in the middle of a dive, you'll know the struggle. Wet lenses are either screwed on or completely off — and doing that underwater with gloves on, in surge, while trying not to lose a $400 lens into the blue, is nobody's idea of fun. That's where quick release adapters come in.

Quick release systems let you click a wet lens on and off with one hand — no threading, no fumbling. You drop in at the dive site with your wide-angle lens locked on, pop it off when you find a nudibranch, click the macro on, shoot, then swap back. It takes seconds and works reliably even with thick dive gloves.

Introduction

If you've ever tried swapping a macro or wide-angle wet lens in the middle of a dive, you'll know the struggle. Wet lenses are either screwed on or completely off — and doing that underwater with gloves on, in surge, while trying not to lose a $400 lens into the blue, is nobody's idea of fun. That's where quick release adapters come in.

Quick release systems let you click a wet lens on and off with one hand — no threading, no fumbling. You drop in at the dive site with your wide-angle lens locked on, pop it off when you find a nudibranch, click the macro on, shoot, then swap back. It takes seconds and works reliably even with thick dive gloves.

When Stu Filmon surfaced off Stradbroke Island, Queensland, he expected a normal end to a dive. What followed was 21 hours drifting in the Coral Sea before rescue teams finally reached him. In the aftermath, Stu sat down to share the lessons — not just from his own experience, but from the pilots and aircraft coordinators who found him.

Stu is an existing customer, and we are glad to share that this whole experience has made others aware of the real risks involved when diving. Stu agreed to speak with us as a way to educate others and raise broader community awareness of the products available out there to divers. 

Every piece of gear he highlights is something we stock here at Underwater Australia. We'll let Stu do the talking. If you are unsure

Introduction

The GoPro HERO series has long been the action camera of choice for underwater adventurers — and with the arrival of the GoPro HERO13 Black, the capability on offer has never been greater. Compact, rugged, and capable of shooting 5.3K video with HyperSmooth stabilisation, the HERO13 brings professional-level image quality to divers, snorkellers, and underwater explorers of every skill level. Compatible with the same ecosystem of accessories that has supported the HERO9 through HERO12, the HERO13 fits seamlessly into the range of solutions we've curated at Underwater Australasia.