Facilities

Equipment available:

• Small benchtop centrifuge
• -80 freezer
• Microwave
• Specimen freezer
• Scales
• Furnace
• Autoclave
• 8 Dissecting Microscopes
• 4 High Powered Microscopes
• 3 Video Microscopes

Our Temperature Control Rooms (TCR’s) support a wide variety of experimental needs. We have five TCR laboratories, each connected to our flow through saltwater system, offering the ideal environment for researchers requiring controlled conditions for their experiments.

Researchers can also benefit from access to both filtered and unfiltered seawater from Pioneer Bay, available directly in the outdoor aquaria, supporting a broader range of experimental conditions.

Advanced Temperature Control and Research Infrastructure

In 2025 two new heaters and chillers have been installed and integrated into the system, expanding our ability to reliably manipulate seawater temperatures from 15°C to 35°C (±0.3°C). These upgrades allow for precise control over both air and water temperatures, making the TCR laboratories perfect for temperature sensitive research.

Our labs are designed to allow seamless temperature-controlled experiments, supporting advanced marine and ecological studies, particularly those focusing on the effects of temperature on marine organisms and ecosystems. Whether you are studying coral resilience, the impacts of climate change, or any other temperature-dependent phenomena, our TCR labs provide the ideal setting.

Customizable Research Space

Each of the five climatic-controlled rooms offer flexible layouts to suit a wide range of research needs:

• Plumbing: Each room has eight individual outlets mounted to the wall, providing access to heated seawater, chilled seawater, filtered seawater, raw seawater, and air reticulation. This enables you to set up experiments either in a flow through system (open system) or as a closed system, depending on your project requirements.
• Temperature and Humidity Control: A computer-controlled air conditioning systems maintain and monitor the temperature within each individual room. This system allows us to log room temperature levels, providing further data for your experiments if required.
• Flexible Tank and Bench Setups: Our labs are designed with mobility in mind. The tables and benches are movable, allowing you to adapt the space to your specific research needs. Whether you need to place aquaria on the floor or set them on benches, the flexible configurations ensure maximum usability.
• Water Heating & Filtration: While the water temperature and filtration levels are common across all five rooms, we offer a range of filter sizes down to 1 microns to suit your specific research requirements. Inline water heaters can be used to achieve different temperatures, from heated to chilled to ambient water, enabling the setup of controlled aquatic environments for diverse experiments.

Facilities and Features

Each TCR room is equipped with a wide range of facilities designed to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your research:

• Water Discharge and Return:
  • Two 100mm saltwater discharge points for water outflow to the ocean.
  • Two 100mm return outlets for the return of heated and chilled water to the underfloor system.
  • Two 4000L storage tanks for partial seawater exchange, ensuring low-nutrient water for consistent, high-quality experimental conditions.
• Power and Electrical:
  • Each room is equipped with four separate 15-amp general-purpose power outlets, ideal for powering specific research equipment.
  • You can also attach specialised waterproof power boards to add multiple outlets or configure timer-controlled outlets for automatic operations.
• Lighting:
  • Sylvania Oracle Wide Beam lights with 150W MH lamps and 20K Lamp—ideal for creating optimal light conditions for marine experiments.

The Orpheus Island Research Station has a flow-through aquaculture system of excellent quality seawater directly pumped in 110mm saltwater intake lines which extends 60m off the edge of the reef crest, immediately in front of the station providing ~600,000L of seawater daily. The seawater is pumped into three header tanks, storing both unfiltered and filtered seawater to 5 micron through sand filters and then a series of bag filters. Both unfiltered and filtered seawater is pumped through to the various laboratory areas where it can be directly accessed for experimental use.

Our Wet Lab area provides a range of aquaria options for users depending on their needs.

• Two white round
• Six raceways
• 15 Wet Lab tables
• 6 raised oval tanks
• A variety of large to small aquaria have been purchased for the use of clients, we can assist clients in setting up experiments.

Diving and snorkelling

OIRS operates a fully equipped diving and snorkelling facility. Highly trained ADAS-certified Divers and experienced snorkel supervisors are available to assist with research and teaching projects, ensuring safe and efficient field operations. Refer to the JCU Scientific Diving Operations Manual for further details.

The Station has SCUBA and Snorkelling equipment for hire:

• Wetsuits
• Stinger Suits
• BCDs
• Regulators
• Fins
• Mask & snorkels

Please contact the station to access the fee schedule for boating and diving charges.

Available Vessels

OIRS maintains a fleet of 8 vessels available for dry hire (for those that meet the requirements) or charter hire. OIRS boating staff are available for assistance from 7 am to 5 pm. If you require their assistance outside those hours, advance arrangements are required and charges will apply.

Boat operators must have the minimum requirements of Recreational Boat and Marine Radio licenses, have completed the OIRS boating induction, and be familiar with the vessel safety management system. Operators should also have a working knowledge of the local conditions and have the appropriate plans and risk assessments in place. All forms (e.g. crew and vessel induction records, vessel log sheet, emergency procedures practice) relevant to the operation of the ship must be completed for each day of vessel use and submitted prior to departure.

Challenger IV

Challenger IV is the largest vessel in our fleet at 11.7 metres length, 4.57 width, 2 x 350hp engines and is skippered exclusively by OIRS Station Staff.

This versatile vessel is certified as:

• Class 2D: Accommodates up to 23 passengers + 2 crew for travel within the sheltered 2D areas of the Palm Island group.
• Class 2C: Accommodates up to 10 passengers + 2 crew for operations in more exposed waters or trips to the midshelf reef.

Designed with both research and education in mind, Challenger IV features a spacious deck area for equipment, an enclosed cabin to provide shelter from the elements, and is the only vessel in our fleet equipped with an onboard toilet enhancing comfort for longer journeys. This vessel can reach the mid-shelf reef within xxx minutes in good conditions.

Pioneer II

The 7.5-metre Pioneer II barge is operated exclusively by OIRS Station Staff and offers robust functionality for a variety of needs.

This vessel is certified as:

• Class 2D: Carries up to 10 passengers + 1 crew.
• Class 2C: Carries up to 5 passengers + 1 crew for more exposed waters.

Pioneer II boasts a large deck space (2.6m width), providing ample room for scuba cylinders, research equipment, or education materials. It also features a shaded area at the stern with roll-down sides, offering protection from wind and rain.

With the capacity to travel to the exposed sides of the islands or midshelf reefs, Pioneer II is well-suited for small groups operating in 2C waters. Despite its size, it's 2 x 115hp engines are fuel-efficient, making it ideal for longer journeys.

Auriga

The 6.3-metre Auriga is a Class 2C vessel requiring a Coxswain's license to operate. Width of this vessel is 2.48m with 2 x 135hp engines.

This vessel is certified for:

• Class 2C: Carries up to 7 passengers + 1 crew or a maximum of 6 personnel during diving activities.

Auriga is designed for groups of snorkellers or scuba divers, offering quick access to midshelf reefs within 60-90 minutes. It features ample deck space, shaded areas for comfort, and an easy-access ladder at the stern for smooth boarding and disembarking.

Eurydice

The 5.95-metre Eurydice is a Class 2C vessel, requiring both a Recreational Boat and Marine Radio license to operate. Width is 1.98m with 2 x 60hp engines.

This vessel is certified for:

• Class 2C: Carries a maximum of 6 persons.

Eurydice is a fibreglass vessel designed for quick access around the Palm Island group and to the midshelf reef (<15NM). It’s also suitable for operation under Exemption 15 or with a Grade 3 Coxswain qualification.

Research 1, 2, 3, 4

We have four 4.9-metre research dinghies available—versatile, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective vessels ideal for small-scale fieldwork. Width of these vessels is 2.1mtrs and each vessel has one 40hp engine.

Each dinghy is certified as:

• Class 2D: Carries up to 10 persons or 850 kg for operations within sheltered waters.
• Class 2C: Carries up to 6 persons or 500 kg for more exposed inshore environments.

These vessels feature a centre console layout and are suitable for users operating under Exemption 15 or holding a Coxswain Grade 3 certificate. Their speed and efficiency make them ideal for reaching a variety of inshore reefs within the Palm Island group typically within 30 minutes of departure.

Fresh Water

OIRS relies on rainwater and water produced from the desalination plant on site. Please be water conscious while visiting OIRS.

Power

In February of 2019 OIRS installed a Solar PV array consisting of 263 panels on various buildings around the station. During the day we run almost exclusively on solar and then a battery system that takes over operations out of daylight hours. The original generator system is still operational as a supplement and a backup.

Phone and Internet Access

OIRS has highspeed Starlink WiFi that is free and accessible across the station. Most services also receive mobile phone reception.