The future marine rescue service’s name has been unveiled along with the launch of a further round of direct support grants for local groups.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan MP also today announced the awarding of the first new vessel construction contract.
Minister Ryan said the new marine rescue service name, proposed by the working group and overwhelmingly supported by the volunteers surveyed, would be Marine Rescue Queensland.
“The new name acknowledges the important role that marine rescue volunteers have in keeping the community safe out on the water,” Minister Ryan said.
“I acknowledge the time and effort by the working group and that the name was the overwhelming choice of 87 per cent of the almost 1000 volunteer participants surveyed.”
“The Queensland Government continues to recognise the outstanding dedication and significant contribution that marine rescue volunteers make in keeping Queenslanders and visitors to our state safe on the water,” Minister Ryan said.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach thanked the thousands of marine rescue volunteers who have selflessly given their time and energy to serve the Queensland community out on the water.
“There are more than 3000 volunteers across 47 marine rescue units along Queensland’s coastline,” Mr Leach said.
“These volunteers continue to provide ongoing commitment to saving lives on water and are often placing their own safety at risk to rescue boaters in hazardous seas, severe weather and in darkness.”
The Queensland Government also announced further investment for the marine rescue services with a $470,000 grant program to directly support frontline units.
The grant program is in the second year following on from the success of 2021 grants.
Minister Ryan said the $470,000 investment will directly support frontline marine rescue services and assist with emergency response capability.
“The program will provide additional funding to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ),” Minister Ryan said.
“It will help reduce the fundraising burden on marine rescue units and assist with the replacement of necessary equipment or fund facility maintenance based on local needs.
“Individual VMRAQ Squadrons and AVCGA Flotillas will be eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 each to support their local needs and priorities.”
In another win for the future service, the first marine rescue vessel contract has been awarded.
Minister Ryan said this vessel contract is the first for the marine rescue vessels funded from the $17.38 million the Queensland Government is investing to replace ageing search and rescue vessels in Queensland.
“The investment is being made over four years to ensure marine rescue volunteers have the right equipment to continue their vital work of saving lives on the water,” he said.
