Boating and Diving About JCU Boating and Diving

About JCU Boating and Diving

A full suite of boating and diving equipment and expertise

Photo of 25 Boats

25 Boats

From a dinghy to a research vessel, choose a boat that’s right for your trip.

Photo of 400 people yearly

400 people yearly

The number of researchers and students come to us for all their boating and diving needs.

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6000 dive hours yearly

With easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, we are a vital part of world-class marine research and teaching.

Field trips and research

James Cook University (JCU) Boating and Diving is the largest-scale marine research operations facility in Queensland. Our focus is on well maintained, quality equipment that meets stringent Australian safety standards.  We work with undergraduate and postgraduate students, external organisations, other universities and research institutes through the world.

Our mission:

  • Act as the service provider for JCU researchers, students, and teaching activities;
  • Provide support for field trips and research;
  • Manage compliance, operations, competency assessment, and auditing in accordance with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Self-manage your personal profile online via the Boating and Diving Register

Use of our best-in-class online Register for managing your qualifications and field work. We integrate data about people, vessels, diving equipment, policies and procedures into a central catalogue for you to use. By accessing the dashboard, we can ensure compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) requirements and keep track of any re-certification needed, making it simpler for you to get out on or into the water. This makes it easier for you to file your dive or boat trip plan, covering details of who, where, when, the equipment you're using and your intentions.