See Ryan Chatfield, Johnny Debnam, and Andre Rerekura at the 2025 Perth Boat Show
For centuries, the waters off Australia’s coastline have concealed secrets of adventure, trade, and tragedy. Beneath the surface lie stories of discovery and loss, and few have dedicated themselves more passionately to bringing those stories to light than the team behind Shipwreck Hunters Australia.
This month, Western Australians will have a rare opportunity to meet these modern-day explorers in person, as the high-energy crew of Ryan Chatfield, Johnny Debnam, and Andre Rerekura headline special live appearances at the 2025 Perth Boat Show. From Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September, the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will transform into a showcase of everything boating and marine lifestyle, and among the highlights will be daily sessions with the trio who have turned Australia’s submerged history into one of the most gripping documentary series of recent years.
The Shipwreck Hunters are no strangers to danger or discovery. Fresh from the release of their second season, now streaming on Disney+, the team has captivated audiences with breathtaking underwater cinematography, daring expeditions, and a level of storytelling that combines hard-won research with pure adventure. In season two alone, they uncovered two previously undiscovered shipwrecks, each carrying tales of lives lived, voyages attempted, and mysteries long unsolved. Their journeys have taken them from Ningaloo’s crystal waters to the treacherous reefs of Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands, places where beauty and peril exist side by side.
Visitors to the Perth Boat Show will get more than just a glimpse behind the curtain of television production. At 11am each day, the team will step on stage to share exclusive stories from the making of the series. Expect tales of shipwreck discoveries, untold moments of survival and challenge, and practical insights into how world-class underwater photography and adventure cinematography are achieved in often hostile environments. For those who dream of diving into history themselves, they will also provide tips on exploration, filming techniques, and the teamwork that underpins every successful expedition.
Their presence underscores what makes the Perth Boat Show so unique: it is more than a display of boats, gear, and technology, it is a celebration of Western Australia’s marine culture and the people who live and breathe it. Alongside the state’s leading marine brands, hands-on demonstrations, and the latest innovations in vessel design, the Shipwreck Hunters add a dimension of storytelling that connects the boating lifestyle to the deep heritage of our oceans.
What draws fans to Ryan, Johnny, and Andre is not only their expertise in diving, cinematography, and maritime research but also their camaraderie and sense of purpose. They are explorers, yes, but also educators and advocates for our underwater heritage. Their work preserves and shares stories that might otherwise be lost to the sea forever.
Ryan at Ningaloo
As they prepare to bring their adventures to Perth, Marine Business News spoke to Ryan Chatfield, the team’s dive leader and underwater cinematographer to go deeper still, into their motivations, their most challenging encounters, and their vision for what comes next.
This is what Ryan had to say.
Looking back at season two, which discoveries or moments stand out to you as the most defining — either personally or for the series as a whole?
Two moments stand out straight away, finding the Langston wreck site and the incredible story and discovery of the Rodondo.
The Langston was a cursed ship lost to superstition and storms in 1902, and searching for her pushed us physically and mentally. That reef was wild, dynamic swell, deep water, and zero margin for error — but in the end, we found her. That was a massive team win and one of the most challenging dives we’ve done.
The Rodondo was different. That story gripped us from the start a steamship on her maiden voyage to WA, carrying 164 passengers and a 7-tonne gold mining engine, wrecked on Pollock Reef. Standing on the remote island where survivors camped out over 100 years ago was surreal. It reminded us that these aren’t just shipwrecks they’re human stories of survival, tragedy, and resilience. Those two new discovery episodes really defined the heart of Season Two.
Rodondo Porthole
The series is visually stunning. What are the biggest challenges of filming underwater in sometimes extreme conditions?
Appreciate that, it’s definitely not easy! Underwater filming is a different beast. You’re dealing with low visibility, current, swell, limited bottom time, and camera gear that has zero margin for error. Add to that communicating with your dive team without words, while chasing wildlife or exploring a wreck it’s a recipe for chaos if you’re not tight as a crew. But when it all comes together clear water, good light, and lost shipwrecks revealing themselves, it’s magic.
Freediving Busselton Jetty
Diver at Gilt Dragon wreck site with up right cannon
What are the biggest challenges you face when filming underwater, and how do you balance the demands of storytelling with the realities of working in such harsh environments?
You’ve got to think like both a diver and a filmmaker at the same time. It’s a constant juggle between safety, dive logistics, and getting the shots that help tell the story. The biggest challenge is time — underwater windows are short, and conditions change fast. We prep relentlessly on land so we can be efficient when we hit the water. Sometimes it’s about letting go of the “perfect shot” and focusing on what’s unfolding naturally in front of you and trusting that’s the story you’re meant to tell.
Andre Nush Ryan focus on the mission ahead
You’ve uncovered previously unknown shipwrecks. What do those discoveries mean for Australia’s broader maritime story?
Every discovery adds a new chapter to a story that’s still being written. Australia’s coastline is littered with shipwrecks some known, many still out there waiting. When we find a wreck that hasn’t been documented before, it’s not just about the physical remains it’s about reconnecting with history, with people who took risks to travel across the world. These finds help us understand our maritime past, trade routes, and the dangers faced on these treacherous coastlines. It’s humbling and exciting all at once.
Langston Wreck
Each of you brings a different background to the project. How do your individual skills and passions shape the way you approach a dive?
That’s the secret sauce of our team we’re all different, and that’s what makes it work. Johnny’s a deep thinker and our engineer-historian; he’s usually solving problems before they happen. Andre is an absolute weapon in the water his ability to anticipate wildlife or movement underwater is second to none. Nush brings raw energy, brilliant visuals, and this huge passion for marine conservation. I’m focused on the big picture stitching the story together visually and emotionally. We trust each other’s instincts, and we all have each other’s backs underwater.
Shipwreck Hunters making a plan with archaeologist Bob Sheppard Gilt Dragon episode
What advice would you give to aspiring explorers, divers, or cinematographers who want to combine their passion for the ocean with storytelling and discovery?
Start where you are, with what you’ve got and just keep turning up. You don’t need the fanciest gear to tell a compelling story. What you do need is curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning about the ocean, about history, and about people. Build a crew you trust, stay safe, and don’t be afraid to follow your gut. The ocean doesn’t give up its secrets easily, but when it does, you’ll be ready.
Shipwreck Hunters with the discovery of the Baby Buddha. Leon and Shane Shark Bay
With two seasons already complete, where do you see Shipwreck Hunters Australia heading next more wrecks, new locations?
We’ve only just scratched the surface. There are thousands of wrecks around Australia, and each one has a story worth telling. We’re constantly chasing new leads from coral atolls in the north to the rugged Southern Ocean and every location throws up its own challenges and rewards.
What’s really exciting is that the series now goes out to over 150 million homes around the globe, which puts Western Australia firmly on the map. We’re incredibly proud to showcase our backyard the raw beauty, the wild oceans, and the stories hidden beneath the surface. It’s also a powerful platform to talk about the importance of marine conservation, to educate and inspire the next generation, and to get young people fired up about the ocean. If we can spark that sense of curiosity and respect for the sea, then we’re doing something right.
For more information about the Perth Boat Show visit their website HERE
SOCIALS
Facebook: @PerthBoatShow
Instagram @perthboatshow
Follow Shipwreck Hunters Australia on Instagram HERE
