A group of very excited scuba divers with Great Adventures Cruises at Green Island were treated to a rare encounter with a young adult dugong. Estimated to be around 2 metres in length, this was the first dugong sighting recorded by Great Adventures divers at Green Island in several years. It was also the first ever sighting for videographer Dan Liu and two very lucky introductory divers on holiday from Ballarat Victoria. “It was so exciting to see! He was very curious swimming near us as the group were diving on a nearby coral bommie. He came close within about 4 metres, swimming away and then coming back for another look before swimming off over the seagrass beds,” said Dan Liu. Dugongs, often called sea cows, as they graze shallow seagrass meadows (eating up to 40kg a day!) are found across the tropical belt in Australia. They reach a length of 3 metres, live up to 70 years of age and can weigh as much as 400kg. Dugongs are fascinating mammals, sharing a common ancestor with elephants, and early sailors are believed to have confused them for mythical mermaids. They are most closely related to the manatee, their northern hemisphere relative. They resemble a large dolphin but lack a dorsal fin and have an upper lip covered in thick bristles. They are well designed for aquatic life, with nostrils situated on top of their heads so they can breathe, and have a large, strong tail that propels them through the water. Their eyes and ears are on the side of their heads. Although their eyesight is poor, they have an acute sense of hearing.” Dugong are threatened on a worldwide scale and in Australia, are a protected species under various legislation including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. This important sighting will be reported to GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef monitoring program contributing valuable information about these endangered creatures as well as the long-term protection and management of the reef. Video credit Dan Liu, Island Photography Australia

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During the race, the course included a natural obstacle — a small, rocky island. The depths were safe, and the skipper decided to take a tight line around it. But just behind the island, the wind shifted unexpectedly, and a sudden gust drove the yacht’s bow straight toward the rocks. With minimal room to maneuver, the skipper reacted quickly and managed to regain control. However, in the process of steering clear, the keel scraped against the rocks. The result: a few scratches and the loss of half the team’s security deposit. A hard lesson learned — always keep a safe distance from the rocks! #PAPARegatta #PAPARegatta2021 #TheArtOfSailing #ArtOfSailing #DangerousRocks #RocksCrash #CroatiaSailing #CroatiaYachting #SailingRace #SailingFails

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custom console luggage for Pair marine in little Washington. we can't wait to see the finished boat! #bandbyachtdesigns #craftsmanship #woodworking #diy

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Surfer on epic sailing adventure comes to terms with surfing reef passes for the first time in the South Pacific.

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