Once upon a time, Fish 'n' Ships was an educational package incorporating a series of worksheets and boat tours aimed at creating a greater understanding and interest in the history and environment, on and under the waters of Port Phillip Bay. Today, this rejuvenated business has developed a two-pronged approach to education: FISH - the training side of the marine environment, where history and life skills still provide the basis for educational programmes for students and adults; 'n'_SHIPS - the commercial vessels that provide the means to explore the marine environment for the benefit of research, education and environmental enrichment. We hope that in some small way, we can help all involved tread more lightly on this planet. With a fleet of four commercial vessels ORCA, TORCA, RORQUAL, and DIVER 1 (and a 5th option with the sail training vessel KAURI CHIEF) 'Fish 'n' Ships' runs high quality charters for commercial, research, recreational and educational programmes as well as adult Snorkel Instructor’s courses for the general public, teachers and tertiary students. Camp programmes also are available at a choice of camps depending on needs and budget.

“Fish ‘n’ Ships” was 'born' about 25 years ago when its creator, David Wailes, decided to concentrate his energies on providing secondary and tertiary students with marine and coastal education through outdoor adventures. Dave’s background in teaching - Physical Education and Geography - and owner/operator of one of the largest dive operations in Australia at the time, gave him the right ingredients to deliver a valuable education programme for a wide variety of groups. A series of worksheets and tours – Fish ‘n’ Ships - were developed for the Port Phillip Bay area and became well utilised by school groups. The blue and white ferry ‘Nepean’ was ideal as the floating classroom to run these educational marine programmes.

Fish ‘n’ Ships continued to grow and another company was created – Aqua Camps! The schools' programme was based on snorkelling and SCUBA diving in Port Phillip and Westernport Bays, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. A lodge and pool complex was built in Blairgowrie which housed up to 36 students for 1 - 5 day programmes, over the next sixteen years. Eventually, the activities and group sizes outgrew the Blairgowrie Lodge and a 17-acre property at Merricks was purchased.

‘Merricks Camp and Conference Centre’ accommodated 150 people simultaneously, and over the next ten years a huge three pool complex was constructed specifically for snorkel and SCUBA training to introduce students to water and sea safety skills.

It has always been our priority to develop programmes that are unique while maintaining the highest of safety standards. Activity programmes were tailor made according to group size, age, budget, and skills. These included snorkelling, SCUBA, water safety, kayaking and canoeing, tree climbing and traverse wall, mountain bike skills course, bushwalking, rowing, sailing, surfing, and environmental and marine studies. (click on Retrospective Gallery below)

Thousands of school students have participated in programmes each summer over the 22+ years of operation. A dozen of these schools have returned each year for more than 15 years.

In the middle of the summer season, up to 15 qualified and multi-skilled instructors led students and teachers through the nominated activities. By the time the business sold, the Aqua Camps team was a solid group of people with over 120 years combined experience!

And now, history has come full circle. Merricks Camp/Aqua Camps has been sold, and “Fish ‘n’ Ships” has a new lease on life.

Dave is on the ‘Ships’ side of things and with a fleet of four commercial vessels ORCA, TORCA, RORQUAL, DIVER 1 (plus KAURI CHIEF). Each have been purpose built as high quality charter vessels from which commercial, research, recreational and educational programmes are run.

Jan, who joined the Aqua Camps team about 12 years ago, (after a wonderful decade at Sea World), is looking after the ‘Fish’ end of the business - the marine education component.

A variety of marine/education programmes for students and adults are being offered. Presently we are involved in a Yr 9 biology/science program comparing marine life in rock pools to that under the piers; Yr 8 and 11 geography/economics/history tour in the Port of Melbourne twice a year; and week long camps covering a range of subject areas for yrs 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the Westernport Bay side.

Adult Snorkel Instructor’s courses for the general public, teachers and tertiary students are an important section of the yearly calendar, providing professional training for those interested in pursuing additional qualifications in the outdoor field.

We, and all our staff, are committed to passing on our skills and knowledge of the marine environment so that all participants acquire a greater appreciation of the world around us, and that their personal life skills are expanded by the time they complete each specialised programme.

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