Boaties, yachties to get better rescue arrangements
Marine Rescue Port Douglas
The Port Douglas boating and yachting community can expect some big benefits following the signing of a transfer agreement at the weekend that will lead to Marine Rescue Port Douglas being integrated into the statewide Marine Rescue Queensland – part of the Queensland Government.
The formal integration will be finalised next month.
“Marine Rescue Queensland will underpin the resourcing of marine rescue throughout Queensland,” the president of Marine Rescue Port Douglas, Ross Wood, said.
“They will provide vessels, equipment and fuel. It means we will no longer have to charge for rescues and that existing membership fees will be refunded pro-rata when the transfer is finalised.
“Other than that, marine rescue in Port Douglas will remain much the same. It will continue to be run by the existing volunteers. All existing assets will remain under local control.”
Marine Rescue Port Douglas’s Mossman State High School program will continue. The program trains a group of Year 11 students each year to get their Coxwain’s certificate. Many go on to get jobs in the maritime industry.
Marine Rescue Port Douglas is expected to get a new vessel next year.
Mr Wood stressed that marine rescue is essentially a service to bring endangered people to safety. It is not a towing service for defective vessels, even if that is the usual way to bring people to safety. He urged all vessels owners to ensure their vessels are properly maintained and have all the required safety equipment.
A meeting of Marine Rescue Port Douglas voted unanimously on Sunday to go ahead with the new arrangements. It will mean new uniforms and signage.
Mr Wood said, “The new arrangement will mean a better funded and better equipped marine rescue service in Port Douglas which covers the waters from Hope Island to Double Island.”
Details of MRQ can be found at www.mrq.qld.gov.au and more details can be found in a recent interview of Mr Wood by Douglas FM at www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7tyx5-1722efe
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