Bay island barge, ferry users on standby as gale-force winds forecast for SEQ

Barge and ferry services to the bay islands will continue to run today despite forecasts of gale-force winds with operator Sealink telling passengers cancellations will be notified by text. WATCH THE VIDEO

Barge and ferry services to the bay islands will continue to run today despite forecasts of gale-force winds with operator Sealink telling passengers cancellations will be notified by text.

Gale-force winds are whipping across Moreton Bay but there have been no changes to passenger ferry services to any of the bay islands so far, despite the warnings.

Gusts reached tops of 43km/h at 5am today when Sealink made the decision to halt a ferry service to Russell and Lamb Island.

Services to the bay islands were halted in May due to gale-force winds which reached 68km/h.

Bay island residents have been told they will receive a text message if ferry or barge services are cancelled due to high winds.

The boat was turned back to Redland Bay yesterday.

Winds will remain southeasterly 25km/h to 35km/h increasing to 30km/h to 45 km/h this morning then turning southerly 20km/h to 30 km/h in the late afternoon.

Sealink staff said car barges would keep to a normal schedule but there could be limited services to some islands if conditions worsened.

Staff said the three car barges were still running to the bay islands today, but bookings had been heavy as some cars had been stranded on the mainland when services were halted.

“We are still taking vehicles from Russell to Macleay, but all bookings have to be done on the phone not online,” Sealink staff said.

“Our barges are running to Russell, Karragarra and Lamb and services are back to normal for Lamb Island today.”