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| Coralita arriving at Osprey Reef (1991) (At that time the shallow water 'bommies' were covered with green-colored 'grape weed' - very unusual). 
KENN REEF EXPEDITION (1971) Pages 32 - 37 Fathom
The Coralita trip to Swains, Saumarez and Kenn reefs. Who was there in 1970? Ron and Valerie Taylor, Walt and Jean Deas, John Singleton and Gerry Harvey, Dick Oakes, Bob Sands, Snowy Ley, Rob Reed, Roy Bisson, John Stone. Ross Robertson (aka the phantom scribbler) was another marine biologist, Captain: Wally Muller. Hostess: Denise Muller, Deckhand (name ?) As I recall: John Singleton was invited along by Valerie Taylor who told him we would be cruising, diving among the coral reefs, etc. and he and Gerry Harvey were under the impression this included places like Heron island, Whitsundays, and similar islands. They packed tennis racquets, casual wear for gatherings with like-minded holidaymakers, and expectations that diving was just an extra activity they might embark on. You can imagine Singleton’s shock when all the other passengers turned up with spearguns and dive gear stowed on board in plastic garbage bins. First night out into a pounding sea, stuff broke everywhere, especially in the forehead cabins. My top bunk split length-ways and I bunked on the floor wedged in with gear bags. Singleton spent much of the night in the life boat, convinced the Coralita was about to sink. He wanted off at the first island and was dismayed when Valerie then told him we weren’t calling into any island resorts. (funny). After a day’s drinking and relaxing about on deck he was primed and ready for some stimulating conversations and repartee and all the rest wanted to talk about the day’s diving and how big the fish were. Then buggered off to bed. An intellectual wasteland for Singleton. (Roy Bisson 2018) 
Ron Taylor (1964)
Not mentioned in Fathom was the point that Australia's number one advertising agency owner and executive was aboard with the future owner of Harvey Norman retail stores - both oblivious this was a diving trip and not an island cruising holiday. In other words no landing on islands.
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| 79 feet in length, Coralita had a 'Commonwealth Survey' certification - which enabled charter trips anywhere in the world. 79 feet in length 19' 6" beam twin 190 HP cats 160 KVA and 125 KVA gen sets 8"X 2" Spotted Gum planks, 40 feet long (or longer). Built by Norman R. Wright, Brisbane. (1969) The original plan was to develop tourist trips to islands and reefs in the Capricorn and Bunker Group. A friendship with Ron Taylor helped introduce scuba diving to reefs in The Coral Sea, starting with Kenn Reef in 1970 Chesterfield Reef area in 1971 had See and Sea proprietor, Dewey Bergman investigating the potential for scuba tourists from USA. Australia's Fathom magazine further promoted Coralita to USA subscribers from issue number 3 (1971). |
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| Coralita after salvage at Cairns. Both sides of the engine room were blown out by an enormous gas explosion. |
After the explosion and salvage, Coralita was purchased by Mr 'Cocky' Watkins of Cardwell, Queensland for the price of one thousand dollars, at auction. Temporarily renamed Alita while being restored, later sold, and finally renamed Bell Cay.
2010 The vessel came to grief in The Swain Reefs (250 km offshore) with approx. 20 people aboard. All were rescued after treading water for some time.
Epilogue. 27 February 2011. Bell Cay is believed to have broken up and washed ashore in the Mackay area of the Queensland coast, according to Alexander Muller - youngest son of the late Captain Wally Muller.
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