Flinders Pier, 16 January 2022

This is probably the best visibility that Kirsty and I have ever seen at Flinders Pier - easily 20 Metres!

There were lots of Cowfish, and quite a few Weedy Sea Dragons, with some of the males carrying eggs. There were also lots of Weed Whiting feeding in the seagrass meadows on either side of the pier. We glimpsed a large Smooth Ray off the end of the pier, but it wasn't interested in coming back to check us out.

There were lots of divers in the water, and lots of people on the beach when we finished our dive. The car park was well and truly overflowing, so it was a great days to be there early!

Male Ornate Cowfish have a bright orange tail, black and white alternating lines underneath, and black-edged blue spots over a yellowish background. Females usually have a yellow belly, while their sides are covered in dark, close-set dark brown lines over a white background, often forming circles or loops on top of the body. Both males and females have horn-like protrusions above the eyes, with additional protrusions further back along the top of the body. They are often found in weed beds, and will squirt water into the sand to expose their prey.
Photo by Peter Batchelor

Unique to Australia, Weedy Seadragons are related to Seahorses, but their tails can't be used for grasping. Abdominal markings are unique to each individual. Courtship is elaborate and prolonged, and can last up to four weeks. The male carries about 250 eggs on the tail rather than on the belly, for around two months. Their primary diet is the mysid shrimp. In Victoria, Weedy Seadragons can grow to around 46 cm and live more than 10 years.
Photo by Peter Batchelor

Juvenile Bullseyes. There are about 20 species of Bullseyes. They have small dorsal fins, and their large eyes are ideally suited for locating their planktonic prey at night. They are generally found in shallow water under ledges and near the mouth of caves.
Photo by Peter Batchelor

Kirsty Batchelor

Female Ornate Cowfish. Females usually have a yellow belly, while their sides are covered in dark, close-set dark brown lines over a white background, often forming circles or loops on top of the body. Both males and females have horn-like protrusions above the eyes, with additional protrusions further back along the top of the body. They are often found in weed beds, and will squirt water into the sand to expose their prey.
Photo by Peter Batchelor

Kirsty Batchelor

About 9 pm, incoming SS Penola ( 500 tons) struck and ran down City of Launceston which began to settle almost immediately. Passengers and crew transferred with difficulty to Penola. Sunken vessel valued at about 17,000 pounds - not insured. Sold by auction to Barrett, engineer of City of Launceston, who sold to a syndicate but salvage attempts eventually abandoned. Victorian Steam Navigation Board Inquiry held City of Launceston to blame for accident. Two separate Supreme Court actions by the respective owners for damages found in favour of the plaintiff in each case! An appeal by the aggrieved owner of the Penola for a non suit or a new trial was ultimately refused. Eleutheria, lighter, exhibited light at wreck site until it too sank. City of Launceston was the first shipwreck to be declared an Historic Shipwreck under new Victorian legislation. Built for the Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait run, it was a regular trader across Bass Strait. - See more at: http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/124#sthash.aPC0R645.dpuf

Divers: Kirsty Batchelor, Peter Batchelor

Weather/Sea: Calm, with no surge.
Visibility: 20 Metres +.
Water temperature: 17°C.
Maximum depth: 5.5 metres.
Time of entry: 09:50
Duration: 65 minutes.