Cairns and Far North communities to receive new marine rescue vessels

Far North Queensland’s coastline is set to receive a major safety boost with the rollout of multiple new marine rescue vessels being touted as “the best possible equipment”.

Marine safety throughout Far North Queensland is set to receive a boost with the allocation of new rescue vessels. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Far North Queensland’s coastline is set to receive a major safety boost with the rollout of multiple new marine rescue vessels following the state government’s recently established water protection body – Marine Rescue Queensland.

The $22m investment into new marine rescue vessels for the state includes watercraft for the far northern communities of Thursday Island, Weipa, Port Douglas, Mornington Island, Cardwell, Tully and Cairns.

State Police Minister Mark Ryan is expected to formally unveil Cairns’ new vessel on Monday and said “marine rescue volunteers do incredible work out on the water every day”.

“Our volunteers deserve to have the best possible vessels and equipment to enable them to undertake their lifesaving work,” Mr Ryan said.

Chief Officer for Marine Rescue Queensland Tony Wulff and Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan after speaking with Volunteer Coast Guard members at the Cairns Water Police headquarters. Picture: Brendan Radke

Marine Rescue Queensland chief officer Tony Wulff said updating and replacing marine search and rescue vessels for communities and the boating public helped enhance public safety.

“New and modern rescue vessels enhance the services volunteers tirelessly provide, supporting their mission to protect people on our waterways every day,” he said.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui said marine rescue volunteers “deserve the best possible vessels to go about their life saving work”.

The announcement comes after a former Thursday Island marine rescue manager quit his unpaid role in October after inquiries by the newly formed Marine Rescue Queensland revealed in the 12 months to June last year the local VMR boat had no safety gear, flat batteries and it was reported the vessel’s trailer, through poor maintenance, fell apart on the road.

Chief Officer for Marine Rescue Queensland Tony Wulff speaks with Volunteer Coast Guard members in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

It’s understood the manager’s departure effectively delayed the delivery of a purpose-built $1.4m, 12m rigid hard collar fast response rescue vessel that had been sitting on a handstand in Cairns for months.

In 2022 it was announced Coast Guard and VMR would merge under the one entity Marine Rescue Queensland following recommendations raised by the Blue Water Review.

The state government provided $35.38m to support the recommendation of establishing an integrated marine rescue service before the 2024 disaster season.

Originally published as Cairns and Far North communities to receive new marine rescue vessels