Marine Rescue Qld

MRQ is funded by the Queensland Government.  The budget for this  first year of funding is $27 million which will support frontline volunteers with equipment, supplies and rescue resources. That’s a relief for volunteers locally as it means we can focus on what we do best…rescuing people!

Because nobody wants marine rescue services to be disrupted in any way…it’s too important.  The aim is to make the transition of every individual unit as smooth as possible, customising to specific local needs ie geography, community, boating needs.  Caloundra is not the same as Cooktown!

Yes and no. 😊 Queensland Police Service (QPS) is responsible for coordination of all disaster and emergency services responses (including marine rescue), but MRQ is a separate entity with it’s own identity, structure and uniforms. MRQ will certainly not be performing any kind of enforcement function.

If you enjoy boating/fishing and visit many of the areas along the coast, all the different VMR and Coast Guard units can make things confusing.  This will soon change when all units integrate under MRQ, however the process will take 12-18 months.

In the meantime it will still be necessary to join each unit separately – although the good news is that VMR Whitsunday has a Reciprocal Rights Agreement with VMR Midge Point, VMR Bowen and VMR Burdekin (Ayr). More about that here: https://vmrwhitsundays.com.au/boating/reciprocal-rights-agreements/

If you break down and request assistance while in the MRQ Mackay operational area, you will be assisted at no charge and taken back to Mackay.

MRQ Mackay’s operational area extends from Midge Point in the north to Carmila in the south, with a range extending from the Mackay Harbour in an arc.

VMR Mackay is the first unit to transition and become MRQ Mackay, followed closely by VMR Gladstone.  Next will be

• Far Northern Region  VMR Thursday Island,  VMR Masig,  VMR St Paul’s, Cairns Coast Guard
• North Coast Region: Caloundra Coast Guard, Tin Can Bay Coast Guard, VMR Hervey Bay
• South Eastern Region: VMR Bribie Island, VMR Jacobs Well

 

No, not until VMR Whitsunday transitions and comes under MRQ (mid 2025).  As Mackay is in the first group to integrate under MRQ, local boaties will be the first to enjoy the benefits of free tows.  Unfortunately this benefit is not transferable, and applies only within the Mackay Operation Zone.  If you bring your boat into any other area (eg Midge Point, Bowen, Whitsundays etc) you will need to be a financial member until such time that all units are part of MRQ.

For VMRW to keep operating, boat owners must continue to join and/or renew their membership. As the time to integration begins to count down from 12 months, pro-rata charges will be put in place for those joining or renewing,  beginning with partial fees and gradually dwindling to zero when VMRW is officially under MRQ.