By
LCDR Mick Gallagher
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ABCD
Phillip Maihi shows off his diving skills to Expo visitor
Samantha Wright of Perth
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Photo:
ABPH Yuri Ramsay at Sydney
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Navy
divers went on display at the inaugural Surf, Water Sports and
Dive Expo held at Fox Studios from September 12-14.
The divers from AUSCDTONE at HMAS Waterhen showed off their underwater
skills in a tank set up alongside the historical Hordern pavilion
on the site of the old Sydney Showground.
More than 180 exhibitors participated in the expo, which included
commercial, government and community organizations such as Surf
Lifesaving NSW. Battista and Kathryn Remati, who developed the
expo, were pleased to have the RAN participate.
Some of the profits from the expo will go to building an aquarium
at the Children’s Hospital-Westmead. “After all our operational
commitments in Iraq it is great to be among the Australian public
with our diving display,” said POCD Gavin Stevens.
Gavin comes from a family with strong commitments to serving the
Australian public.
His wife Janelle is an officer with the NSW Police and he has
two brothers serving in the Australian Army.
AUSCDTONE’s motto is “United and Undaunted” and as with AUSCDTFOUR
at HMAS Stirling is organized into four Task Elements - Headquarters,
Mine Counter Measures, Maritime Tactical Operations and Underwater
Battle Damage Repair.
They are capable of deploying separately or in combination with
the other elements. They also incorporate local Reserve divers.
“The RAN Clearance Diving Branch was established in 1951.
Since the introduction of the Clearance Diving Breathing Apparatus
(CDBA) in 1955 the branch’s equipment has been state of the art
and its techniques are regarded as world leading,” said AUSCDTONE
XO, LEUT Chris White.
