Key Takeaways:
- A two-day air and sea search for professional diver Timothy Bennett has been suspended in the Coral Sea off far north Queensland.
- Bennett, 65, failed to surface after a deep-sea dive at Heralds Surprise Reef, about 150 nautical miles south-east of Cairns.
- The family has made peace with the conclusion of the search and the decision to leave his body at sea.
- Bennett was a highly respected and experienced diver, with several fish discoveries named after him.
- He was known for his kindness, generosity, and mentorship in the industry.
Introduction to the Incident
The search for a well-known professional diver, Timothy Bennett, has been suspended in the Coral Sea off far north Queensland. Bennett, 65, was reported missing by the crew of the dive boat Clearwater, which belongs to aquarium supplier Cairns Marine, at 4:30 pm on Monday. He failed to surface after a deep-sea dive at Heralds Surprise Reef, approximately 150 nautical miles south-east of Cairns. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many paying tribute to Bennett’s exceptional skills and kind nature.
The Life and Career of Timothy Bennett
Originally from Perth, Bennett moved to far north Queensland in the 1990s and lived in Kuranda with his wife, Jena O’Connor. He had been the skipper of the Clearwater for over 20 years and was admired and respected in the scientific world. Several fish discoveries had been named after him, including Plectranthias bennetti, Tosanoides bennetti, and Bodianus bennetti. Bennett’s wife and employer confirmed that he was passionate about exploring fish and birds and had previously worked in the east coast crayfish industry and pearled in Broome. Despite his professional and scientific accolades, Bennett considered his family as his greatest achievement.
Tributes and Reactions
Bennett’s family has been overwhelmed with tributes, with his daughter, Simone Bennett, describing him as the "most loving and supportive and proud dad one could ever ask for." She added that her father was known and respected across the industry, not just for his skill, but because he was genuinely kind, generous with his knowledge, and a mentor to many. Cairns Marine director Lyle Squire, who had known Bennett for 25 years, said that he was a diver of rare skill who could dive past 150 meters. Squire described Bennett as "well and truly in a class of his own" and said that he was irreplaceable.
The Circumstances of the Incident
Bennett was diving in the "highly unexplored" mesophotic zone between 60m and past 150m, where standard scuba gear is impractical and "rebreather" equipment is required. He was using a rebreather to explore the area and find new species of fish unknown to science. When Bennett failed to resurface, it set in motion a grim plan that he and Squire had discussed many times. Squire said that speculation about the incident was pointless and that it would not have been due to human error, as Bennett was too well-prepared and professional.
Investigation and Response
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Cairns-based Bombardier Challenger 604 search and rescue jet aircraft extensively searched for two days, but the search has now been suspended. The crew of the Clearwater dove up to 80m looking for Bennett, but he was not found. Queensland Police Service, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority are investigating the incident. Squire said that nobody will ever know what has transpired, and the family has made peace with the conclusion of the search and the decision to leave Bennett’s body at sea. As his wife, Jena O’Connor, said, "He’s in his happy place."