Paul Butler, 1943 – 2011

OIC Mawson 1981

Paul Butler, OIC at Mawson in 1981, passed away on September 14th, 2011, in France, while preparing to attend meetings of the International Diving Regulators and Certifiers Forum (IDRF) and the European Diving Technology Committee (EDTC).

Paul’s career and community service included SAR and Special Operations with the Victoria Police Force, Army Reserve, National Safety Council of Australia, Antarctic Diving Supervisor, Australian Emergency Management Institute, Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources as Manager of Offshore Safety and Security, and National Manager of the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).

One of Paul’s early activities ay Mawson was a dive to rescue a sunken LARC from the bottom of Horseshoe Harbour:

“We got it up to the surface without further drama, hooked up a four point lifting rig, got the craft horizontal, and the Army fellows pumped it dry and towed it ashore where they flooded it with diesolene after draining the gear box, sump etc. A week’s work, and it was operating again.”

Further Tributes to Paul:

• • ADAS – Paul Butler 1943 – 2011
  • CADC – Paul Butler – Exec Director of Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme – passes away suddenly.