About Us

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. For more details click on the link more..  [back to top]

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! [back to top]

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. [back to top]

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. [back to top]

Curtin Artificial Reef

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. A list of wrecks and the dates they were laid to rest can be found by clicking on the link more..

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. [back to top]

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. [back to top]