Boaties in a well-used waterway are facing conditions that are “as challenging as ever” as a full-time marine officer is tasked to address safety concerns in the area.
Commercial and recreational vessel operators in Pumicestone Passage have been confronted with an array of dangers since the ocean crashed through Bribie Island early last year.
The event created shifting sand and ever-changing water movement, with bars and channels forming and disappearing in the passage. There has also been debris from the island, a strong current at the breakthrough and powerful surf on the eastern side of the breakthrough.
Related story: Watch boaties battle new hazard at coastal bar
Caloundra Coast Guard commander Roger Pearce said it was difficult for waterway users to navigate the area.
“Conditions are as challenging as ever,” he said.
“The biggest issue is the movement of sand.”
The problems have impacted Coast Guard as much as anyone.
The rescue service has been hemmed in at its HQ at Caloundra, particularly at low tide, with mountains of sand in the passage restricting its ability to help boaties in need.
Mr Pearce failed in his requests for dredging and the group has since relocated its main vessel about 5km south to the new Pelican Waters Marina for easier access to the ocean.
The breakthrough, which has been dubbed the Bribie Bar, is now boaties’ main link between the passage and the ocean, after the Caloundra Bar to the north all but closed with sand.
But there can be a powerful current near the Bribie Bar. A marker there was essentially rendered useless because it has been battered by the elements.
It has since been pulled from the water by Maritime Safety Queensland.
“It was constantly moving, so they have taken it out completely,” Mr Pearce said.
“There’s so much water movement.
“It was being washed up on the shore all the time and one time it went out to sea.
“It was common sense to take it out and let boaties make their own decisions, instead of chasing a marker around that’s in the wrong place.”
He said the removal of the marker would not make it more difficult for boaties to navigate that section of the waterway.
The conditions in the passage and breakthrough have led to the appointment of a marine safety officer at the new Pelican Waters Marina.
Maritime Safety Queensland said the officer would increase monitoring of waterway activity, address on-water education and safety compliance activities, and maintain navigational aids and signage.
Notices to Mariners will continue to be issued to ensure that boaties are alerted about changes or hazards in the passage.
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said conditions were always changing in the area, which was popular with locals and tourists.
“Boaties need to remain vigilant and aware of swimmers and all types of craft around them, as well as moving sandbanks and debris,” he said.
“Due to the new coastal bar formed as a result of the breakthrough, conditions remain dynamic in this area.
“I highly encourage boaties to wear lifejackets, slow down and take extreme care in this area.
“MSQ also has a checklist for crossing coastal bars available on its website.”
Mr Pearce welcomed the arrival of the officer.
“It’s fantastic,” he said.
“We are over the moon about it because it gives us a full-time officer and boat.
“We’ll be in regular contact with that person, so it’s much better service and convenience.
“It gives is more action if there’s anything urgently required, and it’s handy to have someone local to talk to, to discuss the dangers, because it’s ever-changing here all the time.”
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