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Underwater Research Group of Queensland

Dive Club (English)

Service:
  • Air
  • Dive Centre Center
  • Diving Charter Boat
  • Equipment Gear Rentals
  • NITROX
  • PADI
  • School Course Learn to Dive
  • Underwater Photography/Video
  • Underwater Publications Prints
  • Vacation Holiday Scuba Diving
  • Wreck Diving
Company description We are a Scuba Diving club based in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. We are non-profit so the emphasis is heavily on enjoyment. This website is intended to provide information on as many aspects of Scuba Diving as we can. The URGQ, as we are more commonly known, has a strong link with shipwrecks. The Curtin Artificial Reef, due west of Moreton Island in Brisbane, was researched and developed by members of the URGQ, with particular assistance from the late Frank Curtin, after whom the reef was named. We are also involved with Research diving which can be interesting and rewarding. The Coastcare project to determine the most suitable place for mooring buoys at Flinders Reef north of Cape Moreton is just one example.
The Underwater Research Group Queensland was established in 1954 as Queensland`s first non profit diving Club.
The URGQ aims to provide a forum for divers to meet socially on a regular basis while providing a pleasant alternative to shop based diving. Over one thousand members of all ages and experience have participated in URGQ diving activities.
Diver 1 - URGQ`s flagship!
In 1996, the URGQ became a proud owner of the club dive boat, URGQ Diver 1. This specially designed 6.3 metre rigid-hull inflatable is fully equipped and can carry ten divers plus skipper.
Training
The URGQ promotes safe diving through practical and theory training. First Aid, Oxygen treatment and Recreational Boat licences are just some of the activities organised by members. Training involves all aspects of diving such as life saving, underwater photography, equipment maintenance and of course, boat-handling. The best training that URGQ can provide you with is diving.
Presentations provided at the club house are on offer to members and non members alike. Recent talks featured the Queensland Water Police, Department of Environment and others.
History
The URGQ`s ongoing activities include underwater exploration for the recovery, conservation and preservation of marine artefacts.
URGQ and its members have been attributed with discovering most shipwrecks in the South-eastern Queensland region including the Scottish Prince, Cambus Wallace, the protected wreck the Aahrus and the St Paul, just to name a few!
The Club House
Since the late 1960`s, URGQ members were raising funds to purchase their own club house.
In 1989, a club house was located at Yeerongpilly and purchased. Members continue to meet every Wednesday night for a social evening. At each meeting, daily and monthly dive trips are planned and organised. The URGQ operates three high volume dive compressors including one portable unit. Tanks can be filled at the clubhouse any Wednesday evening.
On the first Wednesday of each month, a more formal meeting is held to vote in new members and discuss all club activities.
Research
The URGQ has led and participated in numerous diving activities which promote the conservation, preservation and understanding of the marine environment. In Moreton Bay, grants have been awarded for fish and coral reef surveys. The URGQ are involved in the ongoing monitoring of Flinders and Curtin Artificial Reef. Most recently the URGQ received a Coastcare grant to produce resource maps of the Flinders Reef region.
Underwater cleanups at the URGQ Curtin Artificial Reef indicate boat owners drink a particular brand of beer and that fishing line and lead weights do not disappear with the current.
Membership
The URGQ is a non-profit diving club and welcomes divers of all qualification levels and experience. The URGQ does not endorse any particular training agency.
To join, simply bring your log book and `C` card down to our club house on any Wednesday evening; fill out a membership application form and pay the low annual membership fee.
Location description: On August 12th 1968, the URGQ began to build an artificial reef in Moreton Bay. Today, over 30 vessels, concrete pipes, navigational buoys and tyres provide an important habitat for a wide variety of marine life including fish, sharks, rays and turtles. Fish surveys before the reef was established recorded just four species, more recent surveys have recorded up to one hundred species.
Some of the vessels sunk on the reef include a Brisbane tram; the tug Melbourne; two whale chasers, Kos I and Kos II; a coastal trading vessel, the Lady Norman; gravel barges Bremer, Estrella del Mar and Barrambin; the car ferry, Pt Lookout; the whale oil carrier, Centipede; the tugs, Lovenstein & Hustler and the Cairncross dock gate.
While the vessels on the reef offer spectacular diving and penetration opportunities, the URGQ advises that they should not be entered. Detailed maps of the URGQ Curtin Artificial Reef are available from Brisbane dive shops and the URGQ clubhouse.
The URGQ Curtin Artificial Reef is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all URGQ members, especially Frank Curtin.
The following trip has been proposed.
A trip to Lady Musgrave Island. Plans are afoot to go to this coral cay around 9-25th August 2006. Barge will leave from Gladstone. Cost likely to be around $420 + $100 for diving + cost of camping. Budget around the $540 mark. Actual costs to be posted at the club.
SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Lady Musgrave is a coral cay with a large lagoon area. If the weather blows up we can still dive in this lagoon area. There is a maximum of 40 campers allowed at once so it makes this beautiful place great for getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Non divers are welcome - there is plenty to do or do nothing if that suits you. For further information and plenty of photos of the island contact Ted Aston urgqinc@hotmail.com or visit the club house on a Wednesday.
The Curtin Artificial Reef, due west of Moreton Island in Brisbane, was established by the Underwater Research Group of Queensland (URGQ) and was named after one of its instigators, the late Frank Curtin. The Curtin Artificial Reef was established with the assistance of the barge and tug companies, the Queensland Department of Transport and the Armed Services. The reef consists of 21 vessels, steel pontoons, 60+ car bodies, concrete pipes and a tram. The first sinking was in August 1968 and the last sinking in September 1998. Club members are still on the lookout for vessel additions and hope to add a Caribou aircraft when the complicated logistics are resolved.
The Photo Shootout Competition is a “Celebration of the Curtin Artificial Reef” and this year the competition has been extended to members of the UniDive Club.

Website: Preview http://www.urgq.org/ by Thumbshots.org http://www.urgq.org/
Non-profit diving club providing a forum for divers to meet socially as an alternative to shop-based diving. Located in Brisbane.

Contact information:

Street Address:
24 Pulle Street
Brisbane
Queensland
Australia
Spoken language(s): English
Open: from 08-00 till 17-00
Local time:  GMT + 10 Brisbain, Vladivostok, Sidney, Canberra
Note: No guarantee is made to the accuracy of these details.

If you are a representative of Underwater Research Group of Queensland , you may update your options or details in our scuba diving directory. Please use contact form or email us at info@divingfinder.com.


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