Queensland’s new Marine Rescue service has launched its first newly-established unit, bolstering its response capability in the Torres Strait, in the State’s far north.
Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) Chief Officer Tony Wulff said MRQ Kubin, located on Moa Island, was established in response to community need and joined MRQ units on Thursday Island, Masig and St Pauls.
Mr Wulff said activity on the water was an essential lifeline to communities in the Torres Strait, where some of the highest search and rescue activity in Queensland occurred.
“Marine rescue volunteers cover more than 250 nautical miles across the Torres Strait, and the remoteness of rescues and limited VHF radio coverage can be challenging at times for the 25-strong volunteer team.”
Mr Wulff said each unit carried out around a dozen activations each year and jobs could become lengthy due to the sheer distance they service.
He said the newly launched Torres Strait units represented an important step for MRQ’s capability to continue delivering for Queensland’s regions.
“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.
“In June 2024 MRQ became part of the Queensland Police Service, bringing together the expertise and diverse geographic knowledge of our marine rescue volunteers with QPS’ disaster and emergency service response.
“MRQ now has marine rescue units as far north as the Torres Strait and south to Currumbin on the Gold Coast and we look forward to welcoming more units to the MRQ family.”
