When, where...

Location

Located only 10 km from Albury, The Pit is Australia's only dedicated occupational dive site. It is a disused gravel quarry of approximately 2 hectares in surface area. It has a maximum depth of 16m, fresh water, and a very distinct thermocline at about 8m which reduces bottom temperatures by approximately 6 degrees Celsius (°C). Bottom temperature can be as low as 8°C in mid winter. It has the cleanest diveable water in the area with visibility often exceeding 5m; however a layer of bottom silt is easily disturbed and can reduce the visibility to nil almost instantly. Detailed maps of the Pit can be found in the Gallery.

The Pit is set up with permanent work tasks, which include a 30 metre pipeline, a simulated wellhead, several one tone lifting tasks, a pipework maze and a welding stage. Descend has exclusive use of this site which is not subject to wind, tide, weather or boating hazards and can be dived 365 days a year.

Underwater life includes several varieties of fish, lots of plant life, turtles, yabbies and shrimp. Birdlife in the area is also prolific as The Pit is adjacent to the Wonga Wetlands Interpretive Centre Site. Des Walters is currently a member of The Wonga Wetlands Community Advisory Management Committee, who has decided to help The BioSUB Project in any way they can. Just a 5 minute drive from Albury central, along the Riverina Highway (Howlong Road) - follow the signs from the Wonga Wetlands.

Timeline

The underwater habitat is ready to be launched this March 2007 while the water is nice and warm! Site Tours will be conducted which will involve a mix of interactive presentations and hands-on activities. Visitors will be able to interact with Lloyd via a two-way communications system and an underwater video camera. The underwater footage will be broadcast live on a projector screen. Lloyd will start living underwater on April 3rd!