Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) North Stradbroke Island is now part of Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), marking a new era for Moreton Bay’s on-water community.
The unit was formed in 1977 and was first known as Water Emergency Rescue Service, then Air Sea Rescue before becoming VMR North Stradbroke Island.
The unit’s 30 volunteers spend more than 11,000 active crew hours each year helping protect North Stradbroke Island’s on-water community. They typically averaged between 200-250 activations each year, ranging from medical evacuations to the mainland, search and rescues, breakdowns, drifting and grounded vessels and insufficient fuel. Volunteers also carry out at least 30 animal welfare evacuations for injured wildlife each year and this will continue now the unit is part of MRQ.
Volunteers work in cooperation with Queensland Water Police, other VMR squadrons and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard flotillas in the Bay area, as well as Queensland Ambulance Service to provide service to the boating public, residents and visitors to Stradbroke Island and the islands of Moreton Bay.
MRQ North Stradbroke played an important role during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. During severe weather conditions volunteers conducted welfare checks for people living aboard vessels in the Bay and patrolled the area of the bay looking for damaged or at-risk vessels.
MRQ North Stradbroke volunteers will also continue to expand the unit’s school program – Seatbelts of the Sea – run in conjunction with students from Dunwich State School. The program highlights the benefits of wearing a life jacket while on the water.
MRQ is Queensland’s first state-wide, State Government-funded volunteer marine rescue service dedicated to saving lives at sea and supporting those on or near the water.
MRQ is part of Queensland Police Service, which is responsible for coordinating the state’s disaster and emergency services response – but MRQ is a separate service with its own identity, structure, governance and uniforms.
MRQ North Stradbroke is the eighth VMR unit to transition to MRQ since 1 July 2024.
MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff said VMR North Stradbroke’s move to MRQ was another exciting step for marine rescue in South-East Queensland.
“Adding another MRQ unit increases our level of support for volunteers in Moreton Bay. We know the community has relied on the North Stradbroke Island volunteers for almost 50 years and they will continue to do so and the same, friendly faces will be there,” Mr Wulff said.
“The government’s commitment to marine rescue and the on-water community to keep everyone as safe as possible is testament to the thousands of marine rescue volunteers across our great state.”
MRQ North Stradbroke Unit Commander Wayne Barnard said the volunteers were looking forward to sharing their expertise and also learning from other volunteers from transitioned squadrons and flotillas.
“Being part of MRQ will enhance our ability to serve our community, particularly the medivacs we do from the island and it will give us more time to dedicate to our core business which is training and search and rescue,” Mr Barnard said.
“We will still offer the same dedicated marine rescue service with the same volunteers and the same goals we had when we were part of VMR.
“We look forward to the change and the benefits transitioning to MRQ will bring to our community.”
MRQ North Stradbroke follows the transition of MRQ Port Douglas on 11 December 2024, MRQ Jacobs Well on 9 December 2024, MRQ Hervey Bay on 3 December 2024, MRQ Victoria Point on 19 November 2024, MRQ Currumbin on 14 November 2024 and MRQ Gladstone and Mackay units in July 2024.
Further information can be found here: Marine Rescue Queensland.
Water safety tips:
- Log your journeys from start to finish
- Always wear your lifejacket
- Remember to pack sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat and water (2 litres per person)
- If you need help, radio VHF-16 or call Triple Zero
- Check you have extra fuel
- Check the weather forecast before you leave
- Charge your phone and any other devices
- Tell family and friends where you are going