Frequently Asked Questions

What experience do I need?
Experience depends on the type of event you are doing. By visiting our events pages and reading up on our activities you'll be able to find out what skills you need.

Our activities range from needing no previous experience (ie all training is given) to having certain criteria (eg a certain level of dive qualification).


How old do I have to be to be a HarbourKeeper?
There is no age restriction. Our current HarbourKeepers range from just a few years old to over 70 years of age!! Our diverse events mean that there are activities that are suitable for all ages! However, some events do have an age limit eg some of our diving events.


Can I register a group or club as HarbourKeepers?
Corporate citizens, dive groups, boating clubs, schools, ANY groups! can register to sponsor or conduct clean-ups, surveys and other events at a site important to your group.

Groups can contact us direct to discuss options for involvement.


What happens after I register?
Once you have registered to become a HarbourKeeper you will start receiving our HarbourKeepers newsletter and be able to sign up for our events.

To register, click here.


What's in a HarbourKeepers e-newsletter?
These provide you with a list of upcoming events for you to get involved in including details of the events, who to contact to sign up for the events and any experience you need to participate.

These e-newsletters also update you on the latest news from the program including new activities, successes from previous events etc

We also recommend that you check the calendar on our website regularly as some events are listed at short notice.


How do I sign up for an event once I receive my HarbourKeepers e-newsletter?
Contact details for events are contained in HarbourKeepers e-newsletters. To reserve your place please contact the named person. They will confirm your place and give you additional information about the event.


Do I need a dive certificate?
For all HarbourKeepers dive activities you'll need to have a minimum qualification of open water diver. This can be gained by taking an independent open water dive course with any dive operator.

Some HarbourKeepers dives require additional dive experience depending on the nature of the dive. The HarbourKeepers newsletter you receive once you are registered and it's relevant website links will keep you informed about the level of dive qualification you need for each advertised event.


Do I need my own dive gear?
If you have your own dive gear you are always encouraged to use it for HarbourKeepers dives.

For HarbourKeepers Community Days we'll supply your dive gear free of charge. This will generally be provided by Plunge Diving, our Primary Dive Supporter.

For dives conducted through open and closed dive groups dive gear may or may not need to be provided by the diver. Your HarbourKeepers newsletter will let you know when we will provide dive gear for you and when you will need to source it yourself.


Is there a charge?
It is free for you to register for HarbourKeepers and start receiving our HarbourKeepers e-newsletters.

HarbourKeepers Community Days (see below) are generally free of charge to participants thanks to our supporters. They offer a great way to get involved in fun and social activities at no cost to yourself.

Exceptions are some dive events conducted through open and closed dive groups where these groups may require divers to hire their own dive gear or contribute to boat fuel.


What's the difference between a HarbourKeepers Community Day and an Open and Closed Dive Group Day?
HarbourKeepers Community Days are organised directly through HarbourKeepers. These include all HarbourKeepers activities from clean ups on land, to marine surveys to bush regeneration to volunteer training days.

Open and Closed Dive Groups just apply to dives and are where groups conduct HarbourKeepers activities eg surveys and/or clean ups that are organised directly by an independent dive group. Both groups' activities are advertised as part of the HarbourKeepers program but only Open Dive Groups invite registered HarbourKeepers to join them via HarbourKeepers e-newsletters. As the name suggests, Closed Dive Groups are closed to additional HarbourKeepers joining.

For more information on HarbourKeepers Community Days and Open and Closed Dive Group Days please click here.
 
 

Did you know?

HarbourKeepers is an initiative of NPA~Marine. Please visit the NPA~Marine website to find out more about our exciting events, campaigns and other marine conservation work.

 
 

Donations

Making a gift to HarbourKeepers will help our efforts to safeguard Sydney Harbour. Please contact Dave Roe on 9299 0000 to make a financial or other donation today.