Quicksilver - Great Barrier Reef

Let's Go to the Reef!
Saturday, February 05, 2011

The Port Douglas region and the Great Barrier Reef are as beautiful as ever & the Quicksilver wavepiercer is operating as per normal.

Quicksilver’s energy saving initiatives benefit the environm
Friday, December 03, 2010

The results are in and over a two-year period, Quicksilver has achieved an outstanding 11% reduction in energy consumption kilowatt hours, equating to 43 tonnes reduction in the company’s carbon footprint.

Quicksilver Environment and Compliance Manager, Doug Baird, said the result highlights how our own actions, no matter how small they may seem, can make great contributions to benefit our environment, while also making good sense financially.

As a Climate Action accredited company dedicated to environmental sustainability and the health of the Great Barrier Reef, Quicksilver undertakes regular audits to measure and make adaptations toward emissions reduction. This has resulted not only in the significant reduction of CO2 in our environment, but also financial benefits through energy cost savings.

“Pro-active responses have included measures as simple as turning off equipment power points not in use, changing to more energy efficient lighting, through to biodiesel fuel trials and the choice of vessel for the day’s outer reef cruise service depending on passenger loadings.”

“Our Sustainability Committee, consisting of representatives across all departments including catering, engineering workshop, marine operations, coach fleet operations and administration, are to be congratulated for championing these initiatives.”

Another major response to environmental sustainability and climate action initiatives was the re-engining of Quicksilver’s flagship wavepiercer Quicksilver VIII with new generation engines resulting in a 20% reduction in the vessel’s emissions.

Quicksilver was one of the first companies to be certified by Ecotourism Australia’s Climate Action Program and has been certified as a “Climate Action Innovator”.

Quicksilver's 12 Days of Christmas
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Quicksilver Group’s 12 Days of Christmas…

On the twelfth day of Christmas the Quicksilver Group sent to me:

12 Silver snorkellers
11 Low Isles turtles cruising
10 Great Adventures
9 Pro Divers dancing
8 Marine biologists a singing
7 Glass bottom boats touring
6 Semi-subs a viewing
5 Spinning Dolphins
4 Fish a swimming
3 Green Island Cruises
2 Wavepiercers Dashing
1 Luxury island resort
and all the fun at the Great Barrier Reef!

Season’s Greetings from the Quicksilver Group!

Squid Squad is Back!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Quicksilver's fun kids club is back for the school holidays!

Along with fun and games to play, there's the fantastic Squid Squad Activity Book with the characters of "Billy the Squid" and his underwater friends, "Scuba Boy" and "Sandy the Mermaid" designed to entertain and educate junior reef visitors.

So while the kids are in the "Squad" mum and dad can enjoy some guilt-free time to snorkel or dive, lunch together and relax on the sundeck or even take a scenic helicopter flight.

And don't forget we have Family Fares available - one child's cruise fare is free!

Squid Squad Info...

• Cost per session
  $20 per child
  Family: $35 for 2 children
  and $15 per additional child
  
• Each child participating receives a FREE Squid Squad activity book
  
• 2 x 60 minute sessions each day
  Session 1: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  Session 2: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
• For children aged 5-12 years
  
• Supervised by a dedicated Quicksilver crew member with Blue Card requirement
  
• Only available on Quicksilver's Outer Reef Cruise
  Operating 13th December 2008 - 26th January 2009

It's Squid Squad time!
Sunday, September 21, 2008

It’s Squid Squad Time!

It’s school holiday time again and that means one thing… It’s Squid Squad time! This fun kids club on Quicksilver’s Outer Reef cruise has proved a popular treat for children and families travelling to the reef.

And the big news is it can now be pre-booked!

Commencing again for the forthcoming school holiday period, 19 September – 13 October, the Squid Squad offers children aged 5 – 12 years an extra dimension to their reef experience. Complete with the Squid Squad activity book, fun and games, they’ll be having so much fun before they even realise it’s educational too.

Supervised by Quicksilver’s friendly and experienced crew, the club runs in 45 minute sessions while at the outer reef platform – giving mum and dad some guilt-free time to enjoy a snorkel, lunch together and relax on the sundeck, or even take a scenic helicopter flight.

The club costs $20 per child. If two or more children from the same family are joining the club, the cost for the additional children is $15 per child.

Key points – Squid Squad:

• Only available on Quicksilver’s Outer Reef Cruise.
• 3 x 45 minute sessions available each day.
• For children aged 5 – 12 years.

Currently only available over the school holiday periods. This next holiday periods are 19 September - 13 October; 12 December - 29th January 2009.

Please contact one of our friendly consultants to pre book the Squid Squad with your Outer Barrier Reef Cruise.

Squid Squad Kids Club
Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Here comes Quicksilver's Kids Club!

Starting these school holidays, travelling to the Great Barrier Reef is about to become even more of an adventure for children with Quicksilver's fun new Kids Club - "The Squid Squad".

Complete with the Squid Squad activity book, fun and games, they'll be having so much fun before they even realise it's educational too!

So while the kids are in the "Squad", mum and dad can enjoy some guilt-free time to snorkel*, lunch together or just relax on the sundeck.

And don't forget Family Fares are available - one child travels free!

*At least one parent or guardian needs to be contactable (on the boat, on or near platform) while the child is in the care of the Squid Squad Club, so both parents will be unable to participate in diving or a snorkelling expedition away from the platform at the same time.

Squid Squad Key Points

• Only available on Quicksilver's Outer Reef Cruise
• 3 x 45 minute sessions available each day
• For children aged 5-12 years
• Cost per child is $15, per session
• Can not be pre-booked and subject to availability on the day
• Supervised by a dedicated and friendly Quicksilver crew, with Blue Card requirement
• Initially, only available during the school holiday periods. This year's holiday periods are
  27 June - 21 July
  9 September - 13 October
  12 December - 29 January '09

Regional News
Friday, June 13, 2008

Exciting news for families!! Here comes the Squid Squad Quicksilver’s fun new Kids Club...

Travelling to the Great Barrier Reef is about to become even more of an adventure for children with the launch of a fun new Kids Club – “The Squid Squad” on Quicksilver’s Outer Reef cruise, just in time for the school holidays.

Commencing in the forthcoming school holiday period, 27 June - 21 July, the Squid Squad will offer children aged 5 – 12 years an extra dimension to their reef experience. Complete with the Squid Squad activity book, fun and games, they’ll be having so much fun before they even realise it’s educational too.

Supervised by Quicksilver’s friendly and experienced crew, the club runs in 45 minute sessions while at the outer reef platform – giving mum and dad some guilt-free time to enjoy a snorkel, lunch together or just relax on the sundeck.

The club costs $15 per child with three sessions available each day. Participation can only be booked onboard on the day of travel.

Key points – Squid Squad:

• Only available on Quicksilver’s Outer Reef Cruise.
• 3 x 45 minute sessions available each day.
• For children aged 5 – 12 years.
• Cost per child is $15, per session.
• Can not be pre-booked, subject to availability on the day.

Initially, only available over the school holiday periods. This year’s holiday periods are: 27 June -21 July; 19 September - 13 October; 12 December - 29th January 2009.

QUEEN VICTORIA SIGHTSEEING CRUISE
Friday, February 29, 2008

With a warm and sunny Tropical North Queensland day and many locals joining Quicksilver’s sightseeing cruise, it was a royal welcome for the majestic Queen Victoria as she graced the shores off Port Douglas on her maiden world cruise. Celebrating the occasion, Quicksilver’s sightseeing cruise aboard Quicksilver V was a wonderful community event with around 250 locals sharing the breathtaking experience, capturing a glimpse into the glamorous world of ocean cruising and Cunard’s new Queen.

One of the world’s newest and most luxurious cruise liners, Queen Victoria is on her inaugural 106-night world voyage and was in Port Douglas for just one day on February 29th, before continuing her cruise through the Far North and returning to Southampton via Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

 At 294 metres in length, the Queen Victoria can carry 2000 passengers with accommodation over 12 guest decks in 990 staterooms. While many locals enjoyed viewing the majestic liner, many of her guests disembarked to enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver.

UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERAS AVAILABLE!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Great Barrier Reef is a photographer’s delight and we’re pleased to advise that underwater digital cameras are now available for our guests to hire onboard our Silver Series, Quicksilver Outer Reef, Wavedancer Low Isles and Great Adventures Outer Reef cruises. Smile!

'Reef Biosearch turns 21 - a milestone for Great Barrier Ree
Thursday, September 06, 2007

Quicksilver’s environmental division, Reef Biosearch, is celebrating 21 years of operation, highlighting our passion and commitment to the future sustainability of the Great Barrier Reef.

Founded in 1986 and focused on education, research and monitoring, Reef Biosearch is a team of 8 qualified marine biologists ready to share their knowledge and love of the Great Barrier Reef with our visitors. This is the largest team of marine biologists outside of government agencies!

As well as informative reef presentations they help guests to view the reef with informed eyes and are available all day for guests to interact with. On Low Isles guests have the benefit of many inclusive marine biologist activities including a guided beach walk and guided snorkel tour.

On Quicksilver’s Outer Reef cruise, guests can include an optional marine biologist guided snorkel tour to learn so much more about this magnificent marine ecosystem. This adventure snorkel tour costs $58 per person and is a true highlight. Have you thought about pre-booking this for your clients before arrival?

Within the Reef Biosearch group there exists a wealth of knowledge and experience in many fields of marine research and education, particularly relating to coral reefs. Interestingly, they have the longest logbook database of marine observations on the Great Barrier Reef, now ongoing for over two decades.

As we say at Quicksilver, ultimately, we would like all of our guests to leave our region as ambassadors for reef protection and preservation.