Marine Rescue Queensland (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.
MRQ is part of the Queensland Police Service, which is responsible for coordinating the state’s disaster and emergency services response – but MRQ is a separate service with its own identity, structure, governance and uniforms.
To date, seven Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) units have transitioned to MRQ and there are now units operational in Port Douglas, Mackay, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Victoria Point, Jacobs Well and Currumbin.
We look forward to welcoming additional units from VMR and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) this year.
MRQ update
MRQ supports emergency service response in North Queensland
Volunteers from MRQ units in Mackay, Gladstone, Jacobs Well and Currumbin assisted Queensland Police Service (QPS) in recovery efforts in flood-affected North Queensland.
Eleven volunteers from these MRQ units were part of two deployments, along with two rescue vessels.
They transported State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and other emergency services personnel, food, water and other essential supplies to cut-off communities around the Townsville and Hinchinbrook areas.
As Queensland’s first state-wide volunteer marine rescue service, MRQ was proud to deploy crews to where they were needed most and provide support to our emergency services colleagues in North Queensland.
This is the first time MRQ has deployed volunteers in a disaster and emergency management capacity since MRQ became part of QPS in July 2024.
A formal debrief process will be carried out now the relief effort has ended and this will contribute to the development of MRQ’s Disaster and Emergency Response Plan.
MRQ volunteers helping during the NQ flooding recovery in Townsville.
Volunteers from Marine Rescue Queensland, State Emergency Service and News South Wales Rural Fire Service in Townsville.
MRQ App update
Volunteers from a number of MRQ, VMR and AVCGA units are taking part in user testing for a limited trial with new MRQ apps.
ActivateMRQ will be the activation system used by volunteers, especially radio operators, to task crews to head out on marine rescue activations.
ActivateMRQ user acceptance testing is currently underway with select volunteers from Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) units in Mackay, Gladstone and Jacobs Well.
MyMRQ is an app for volunteers to manage and keep track of their training, details, roles and any achievements or awards.
MyMRQ app is also undergoing user acceptance testing with transitioned unit executive teams.
The final app – MRQApp – is also undergoing security testing.
The MRQApp is an app for boaties to recover their vessel or craft information, and importantly, easily log on and off, helping MRQ to keep people safe on the water.
Training update
MRQ Hervey Bay monthly training
MRQ’s Hervey Bay’s monthly crew training was popular this month, with more than 25 skippers and crew taking part.
This month’s theme was onshore seamanship training where volunteers conducted navigation training, carried out mandatory drills and finished annual re-evaluations.
During the training, the duty crew was called out twice to activations.
MRQ Mackay training
MRQ trainers visited MRQ Mackay to put volunteers through the first stage of their Maritime Operations Certificates I and II training.
The 11 volunteers undertook flares, firefighting and shipboard safety skillset training, as well as workplace health and safety.
Pictured below is MRQ Mackay volunteers performing a huddle technique which allows for reduction in loss of heat and the ability to monitor any injuries on the person.
MRQ unit events
MRQ citation events – Jacobs Well and Port Douglas
MRQ Jacobs Well and MRQ Port Douglas held citation celebration events on 1 and 2 February 2025, respectively.
The MRQ citation doesn’t just recognise volunteers as inaugural MRQ volunteer members, it pays homage to their legacy and their many years of service to keeping people safe at sea.
MRQ Jacobs Well active and supportive volunteers, as well as life members were also given a challenge coin which recognised 45 years of marine rescue in Jacobs Well.
MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff attended the citation events, along with volunteers and their families, as well as local, state and federal members.
Jacobs Well transitioned to MRQ on 9 December 2024, while Port Douglas moved across on 11 December 2024.
MRQ Jacobs Well Unit Commander Stewart Wall with MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff
MRQ Jacobs Well volunteers during the citation event.
MRQ Port Douglas members; MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff and MRQ Port Douglas Unit Commander Ross Wood during the citation event.
MRQ Connect Forum
MRQ held its first MRQ Connect Forum to connect volunteers from MRQ transitioned units.
The forum also provided an opportunity for volunteers to build relationships, pose questions to MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff and gave host unit MRQ Gladstone the opportunity to talk through their transition to MRQ – as one of the first units to transition in July 2024.
This was the first of three forums planned for the year.
MRQ staff and MRQ Gladstone volunteers during the first MRQ Connect Forum.
Transition update
Seven Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) units have already transitioned to Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and a further 18 will be welcomed in 2025.
The first VMR units to transition this year will be Torres Strait units – Thursday Island, St Pauls and Masig – while Kubin Village will be established as a brand new MRQ unit. VMR North Stradbroke and Bundaberg units are expected to transition in April.
VMR Bribie Island, VMR Southport and VMR Raby Bay will follow, bringing the total of MRQ units to 16.
MRQ has also signed a Joint Statement of Intention with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) National Board to commence the negotiations for the transfer of AVCGA’s 21 Queensland flotilla operations and assets to MRQ in 2025.
MRQ in action
MRQ volunteers have responded to more than 300 activations since 1 January 2025.
These callouts included: grounded vessels, sinking vessels and search and rescue, as well as police tasking and insufficient fuel.
Volunteers from MRQ units in Currumbin, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Jacobs Well, Mackay, Port Douglas and Victoria Point attended the callouts.
Volunteer inquiries
Two separate inquiries into volunteers have been initiated – the Federal Inquiry into the National Volunteer Incentive Scheme and the State Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland.
In Queensland, the volunteer community plays a crucial role in helping Queensland Police Service (QPS), State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and the wider community.
Volunteers help QPS and MRQ prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters and critical incidents and also engage with the community through community safety and education activities.
The Federal Government’s inquiry into the National Volunteer Incentive Scheme focuses on the formation of a national incentive scheme to respond to the immediate aftermath of natural disasters.
The Queensland State Government is seeking submissions for the Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland. This inquiry will look at experiences and motivations of volunteers, the benefits of volunteering, among other things.
Submissions close for both inquiries on Friday 28 February 2025. Further details can be found via the Parliament of Australia website and Queensland Parliament Committees website.
International Women’s Day
In honour of International Women’s Day, MRQ would like to acknowledge the dedicated marine rescue women and male champions who continue to keep Queensland’s on-water community safe.
MRQ has more than 90 women volunteering across seven MRQ units throughout Queensland.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March 2025 and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
This year’s theme is accelerate action and it emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.
Source: Queensland Police Service, February 2025 edition
