Captain Dave Tomlinson, internationally renowned for over 30 years of ocean exploration, has led the RV Flamingo Bay on groundbreaking projects spanning marine biology, geology, archaeology, and oceanography.
Submersible Achievements
Using the submersible Platypus, Captain Dave filmed a historic shipwreck for Lloyd’s of London on the outer Great Barrier Reef, setting an Australian depth record that held for over eight years.
Coral Restoration
With GBRMPA approval, Captain Dave and his team developed techniques to mitigate environmental damage when ships run aground on coral reefs. Successfully restoring over 160 coral species, their methods are robust enough to withstand up to Category 4 cyclones—though no coral, natural or restored, survives a Category 5 storm.
HMS Pandora
In 1983, the Pandora project marked the first mission of the RV Flamingo Bay. The team conducted the initial survey and first excavation of HMS Pandora, which sank in the far northern GBR in 1791 while returning from the search for HMS Bounty and her mutineers. The wreck lies 33 metres underwater, explored with a world-class team of maritime archaeologists.
Helicopter-Assisted Coastal Survey
RV Flamingo Bay, a converted ice-breaking North Sea rescue tug, supported a helicopter survey of 1,000 miles of coastline between Darwin and Broome after an offshore oil platform explosion. Departing from the Gold Coast with stops in Cairns and Darwin, the ship ensured the slick was monitored before reaching shore, demonstrating rapid-response capabilities and seamless coordination with aerial teams.
The Original RV Flamingo Bay
The first RV Flamingo Bay featured a 14-ton lifting A-frame, a recompression chamber, and long-range capacity for isolated explorations, comfortably accommodating 20 crew members. Designed for extended missions, it set the stage for decades of pioneering ocean research.
Captain Dave’s work continues to inspire marine exploration, conservation, and education worldwide, showcasing the power of dedicated research, innovation, and leadership on our oceans.
