The Sunshine Coast’s marine rescue volunteers are preparing for change, as services are streamlined across the state.
The Volunteer Coast Guard Association will join forces with Volunteer Marine Rescue to establish Marine Rescue Queensland – a single unified rescue capability on all of Queensland’s waterways.
There are three Coast Guard bases in the region, including Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra.
Coast Guard Mooloolaba commander Ian Hunt said the merger should simplify things.
“It can be quite confusing to see Coast Guard and VMR off the coast, but we will soon be one unit, with a common set of rules, guidelines and operations,” he said.
“Instead of having Coast Guard flotillas and VMR squadrons (state-wide), we should have Marine Rescue units that will be coordinated.
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“The jobs should still be there, and we’ll still go out and assist people, but probably in a different uniform.
“There should be consistency with procedures and equipment and vessels.”
The new service should be well backed with funding and resources, so volunteers won’t have to be concerned about fundraising.
The State Government’s investment in marine rescue services is set to eventually increase six-fold and result in on-going annual funding for Marine Rescue Queensland of $27 million.
“I think the Bluewater Review, in 2019, came to the conclusion that funding for marine rescue was not achievable with the current scenario, trying to raise money with raffles and barbecues when you’re paying a million dollars for a vessel,” Commander Hunt said.
“The plan will be to have more funding for vessels and uniforms and fuel and insurance.”
The VMR will operate as part of the Queensland Police Services Water Police.
“We work closely with water police now, so it probably makes sense,” Commander Hunt said.
There are 21 Coast Guard flotillas and 26 VMR squads that are expected to be affected.
Commander Hunt expected Coast Guard’s headquarters and operations at Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra would remain where they are, but be rebranded.
“There could be some areas like Moreton Bay, where there are Coast Guard and VMR units, where there could be some rationalisation, but we are far enough apart from each other on the Sunshine Coast, so I don’t think there will be any great changes,” he said.
The closest VMR bases are at Bribie Island and Hervey Bay.
Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the reforms had one overriding goal.
“The sweeping reforms we are introducing all have one objective and that is to provide an enhanced ability for our frontline responders to keep Queenslanders safe,” he said in a statement.
“By combining our volunteer rescue efforts into a single entity, Marine Rescue Queensland, and having it work even more closely with Water Police, will mean better coordination.
“And the very significant boost in funding will mean a significant uplift to support better equipment, better boats and more support services for our wonderful volunteers.
“The implementation of a single integrated marine rescue service for Queensland has already commenced and is on track for delivery.
“The name – Marine Rescue Queensland – has been announced, and the concept of operations are progressing, with the first contracts already awarded for replacement vessels.”
“The enabling legislation will be progressed next year, and the incremental onboarding of participating flotillas and squadrons will commence thereafter.”
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