Photo: Supplied.
Hello again, Baysiders! Despite an unusually cold start to winter, QF2 has been kept busy with breakdowns and vessel maintenance.
On Sunday, June 8, at 22:30, we received a phone call from Brisbane Water Police activating us to attend to a 41-foot 9-tonne yacht with sail damage and a broken down engine that left them drifting at 4 knots, with a request for a tow back to Rivergate Marina from East of Moreton Island. Our crew in our rescue vessel CG22 endured a 13.5-hour trip over 120 nautical miles in choppy seas and a cold 20-knot westerly wind, towing usually being a slow process, with a typical speed of around 7 knots. The crew had to go the long way around the top of Moreton Island for the return trip due to being close to low tide, making crossing the bar too dangerous to attempt. Estimated fuel use was around 350 litres – that’s nearly $600 at $1.70 per litre! This really brings home the benefit of having Marine Assist membership at only $80 for a year.
As I mentioned in my last article in the June issue, you may be aware that the Queensland Government has established a new single-service marine rescue organisation, Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ). While a few units across the state have begun the transition, no Coast Guard flotillas have yet transitioned, including QF2. That means, for now, we remain entirely reliant on the generous support of the recreational boating community to keep our vessels on the water and provide critical lifesaving services 24/7, 365 days a year.
Government funding for our operations is minimal, and programs like Marine Assist are vital to cover the substantial costs involved in maintaining and running our rescue fleet. For just $80 per year, Marine Assist offers outstanding value to the boating community. Your membership has the following benefits:
- Covers you for towing assistance across Queensland when in range of a Coast Guard unit.
- Ensures 100% of the towing cost is included in your membership — no further donation is expected (though always appreciated).
- Grants access to our TRIPWATCH App, allowing you to log on and off independently without needing to call or radio in.
- Keeps you protected with our 24/7 Search and Rescue Watch.
- Do you prefer to use your VHF Marine Radio? You can still call us on VHF Channels 16 or 73 between 0600 and 1800 on weekends and public holidays or directly on 3396 5911.
If you haven’t renewed your membership because you believed we had transitioned to MRQ, please know that we haven’t yet, and we still need your support.
We anticipate the transition to MRQ will begin sometime in late 2025 or 2026, but until that time, our ability to save lives on the water depends on your continued backing. Thank you again for your ongoing support.
If you want or need to obtain a radio licence for either VHF (SROCP) or VHF+MF/HF (LROCP), please contact me at [email protected] for further details and information.
Stay safe on the water!
