SeaLink North Queensland and the Museum of Underwater Art team up for unique tour celebrating World Ocean Day

In a celebration of World Ocean Day, SeaLink North Queensland and the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) are thrilled to announce a special tour to the MOUA ‘Ocean Sentinels’ installation at John Brewer Reef. This unique event will take place on Saturday, 8 June 2024, and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all aboard.

World Ocean Day, celebrated globally on 8 June, is a day to reflect on the health of our world’s oceans. This year, renowned marine scientists and conservationists will converge on Townsville to participate in the tour, highlighting the significance of marine conservation.

SeaLink North Queensland General Manager, Darren Spearman, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “We are honoured to work with the MOUA and these esteemed scientists to offer this unique experience. This event underscores SeaLink’s commitment to marine conservation and provides an incredible opportunity for the public to engage with experts in the field.”

The event will feature an impressive lineup of four of the Ocean Sentinel muses, including:

• Professor John “Charlie” Veron, often referred to as the godfather of coral
• Dr. Katharina Fabricius, a respected coral ecologist and leading marine scientist at Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
• Dr. David Vaughan, renowned for his global ‘plant a million corals’ initiative
• Molly Steer, North Queensland marine conservationist and founder of the ‘Straw No More’ campaign.

MOUA Chair, Paul Victory, emphasised the importance of this event: “The World Ocean Day tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear directly from the ‘muses’ about their work and MOUA’s vision. This tour encourages meaningful conversations about the Great Barrier Reef, its beauty, its challenges, and our role in its preservation.”

SeaLink’s World Ocean Day tour offers a unique opportunity to meet and hear from four Ocean Sentinels, who are prominent marine scientists and conservationists. Participants will also have the chance to explore the only underwater art installation in the southern hemisphere: eight Ocean Sentinels sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor. These sculptures blend human figures with marine elements, symbolising the fusion of art and science amid the vibrant marine life of John Brewer Reef.

Each sculpture represents a renowned marine scientist or conservationist, showcasing their significant contributions to reef protection. The surfaces of these sculptures are intentionally designed to attract marine life, allowing them to evolve over time as corals, sponges, and hydroids colonise them, reflecting the reef's dynamic nature. Located in the MOUA at John Brewer Reef off Townsville, the Ocean Sentinels are at a shallow depth, making them ideal for snorkellers and divers alike.

Guests will travel on SeaLink’s fast ferry, a modern and spacious air-conditioned catamaran, ensuring a comfortable journey. Light snacks will be provided for morning and afternoon tea, along with a buffet lunch. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.

Mr Spearman said, “This World Ocean Day experience is an extraordinary event, blending art, science, and marine conservation into one incredible experience.”

SeaLink North Queensland proudly boasts Ecotourism Australia’s Advanced ECO Certification, highlighting a dedication to sustainable practices and authentic nature-based tourism experiences, including Orpheus Island Day Tour, whale watching, charter tours, and Outer Reef experiences, which incorporate the MOUA. This eco certification reflects an ongoing commitment to responsible tourism and the preservation of the pristine beauty of the region for generations to come.

For more information and to book, visit the SeaLink website at World Oceans Day Reef Trip.

Images available here: https://bit.ly/4bF1HeP