Marine Rescue Queensland, Bundaberg

Marine Rescue Queensland, Bundaberg This is the official page of Marine Rescue Queensland Bundaberg. MRQ Bundaberg is open from 0600 – 1800 every day.

Contact us on VHF 81,80 & 22 or our local number. Or call 131 MRQ (131 677) Always call Triple Zero (000) if you need emergency support. Our base is open daily from 0600 - 1800 (365 days). After hours emergency phone divert to duty skipper.

After the quietAfter 9 weeks with no activations MRQ Bundaberg was activated on three consecutive days last week. Two o...
06/09/2026

After the quiet

After 9 weeks with no activations MRQ Bundaberg was activated on three consecutive days last week. Two of the activations were whoppers.

Wednesday - At 10:50 Bundy Rescue 2 was activated to a disabled 6m Haines Hunter 1.5 nm SE of the Fish Attracting Devices which are 9.5nm NE of Burnett Heads. The vessel was safely returned to Burnett Heads Harbour by 14:00.

Thursday – At 10:00 Bundy Rescue 2 departed for Lady Musgrave Island assist a 12.2m flybridge cruiser with propellors damaged by interaction with a bommy in the lagoon. About 33nm into the trip the Radio Room advised phoned information about a 6.5m runabout with 3 POB broken down about 8nm SE of Lady Elliot Island. The information was received via an SMS from another vessel to family members as vessel had no communications. Bundy Rescue 2’s skipper triaged the activations to decide the runabout was the priority as the Lady Musgrave vessel was safely at anchor in the lagoon. It was a 25nm divert to the runabout where water in fuel was thought to be the problem. The vessel was towed back to Burnett Heads after an 8.75 hour and 124nm run that used 667L of fuel. (Photos of rafted vessel and back at Burnett Heads)

Friday – A crew assembled at base at 06:30 for a 07:00 departure for the Lady Musgrave activation. A calm to moderate sea allowed a speed of 20 knots which was increased to 23 knots by tucking in behind Reef Empress also bound the island. After a chat with skipper of the disabled vessel a short tow was attached for exiting the lagoon. Once outside speed for the trip home varied between 6 and 8 knots. The vessel was placed in a rafted tow for berthing at the Bundaberg port Marina. Bundy Rescue 2 was refueled with 870L and washed down after the 107nm activation. The crew departed Base at 19:30 after 13 hours on the job.

Photos: Tracks for Wednesday; Tracks for Thursday; Thursday vessel rafted; Thursday safely back at Burnett Heads; Shadowing Reef Empress; Arrival chat at LMI cruiser; Paying out the tow line; Clear of the isolated danger mark; Safely back at the marina;.

MRQ Bundaberg at Ocean FestOcean Fest is an annual community event organised by Bundaberg Rotary. Marine Rescue at Bund...
31/08/2026

MRQ Bundaberg at Ocean Fest

Ocean Fest is an annual community event organised by Bundaberg Rotary. Marine Rescue at Bundaberg has a long history of working with Rotary and we were keen to support them at this year’s event.

Our volunteers manned a marquee selling raffle tickets for Rotary while providing attendees with information about MRQ.

Bundy Rescue 2 was docked just below the marquee and was available for inspection. During the day 71 adults and 48 children were on board. Our crew engaged with information about the capability of the vessel and its operations. At least three visitors expressed interest in joining MRQ.

Photos: MRQ info at the marquee; Bundy Rescue 2 with South Passage in the background; Bundy Rescue 2 ready for inspection; Inspection

Another National Medal at MRQ Rod Studholme was presented with his National Medal at MRQ Bundaberg last Friday. The Nat...
31/08/2026

Another National Medal at MRQ

Rod Studholme was presented with his National Medal at MRQ Bundaberg last Friday. The National Medal is available to emergency service volunteers after 15 years of service and where there is potential for exposure to catastrophic situations.

Rod had an engineering career with ADF before joining Marine Rescue NSW at Merimbula where he served as Deputy Commander. After coming to Bundaberg he joined VMR as boat crew and served as President. After VMR Bundaberg transitioned to Marine Rescue Qld he served as the inaugural Unit Commander.

Navigation training and the whalesOne of the modules required for Senior Crew rating is competency in planning and navig...
31/08/2026

Navigation training and the whales

One of the modules required for Senior Crew rating is competency in planning and navigating a coastal passage. Recently two of our volunteers were exposed to elements of this requirement in a training activation that ran from Burnett Heads to Rooney’s Point on K’gari then to Wathumba, Burrum heads and back to Burnett Heads.

Planning included chart work for courses and distances, expected duration and fuel requirements, weather and tidal conditions and potential hazards. During the activation the trainees monitored fuel burn, engine temperatures, course adjustment for the auto pilot from the navigation station and regular situation reports to Base.

The whale hazard was very evident across Platypus Bay from Rooney’s to Wathumba with numerous breechings and tail slappings.

The visit to Burrum Heads provided an opportunity for checking waypoints recorded for the unlit port lateral marks should we be required to enter the river at night. Our records were up to date.

Bundy Rescue 2 returned to Base for washdown and refueling at 17:30 after a 118nm and 9 hour activation.

Photos: Tracks for the Navigation activation; Thar she blows; A breeching; Slapping; Departing Burrum Heads.

20/07/2026

Triaging a potential yacht assist

At 13:15 last Friday our RO took a call from MRQ Round Hill Duty Officer for support in responding to a vessel 10nm south of 1770 that may require assistance as there were no skippers available at Round Hill.

Our Duty Skipper spoke with the Round Hill Duty Officer and the indicated vessel. It was a 29’ yacht with 2 POB making 5-6 knots under engine, with suspected broken rudder quadrant in rough following sea and about 1.5 hours south of 1770 headland. They only had a hand help VHF which was not good enough for comms with our RO.

The vessel was advised MRQ Bundaberg would be at least 2.5 hours away if assistance was required. Our Duty Skipper recommend they work towards a lee position in Bustard Bay as low tide would preclude creek entrance. By this time the Round Hill Duty skipper was enroute from Bundaberg back to 1770 to be on standby.

At 13:46 a call back to the vessel indicated they would probably be OK provided the emergency steering held up. The vessel made the lee anchorage by 16:30 and MRQ Round Hill was to tow the vessel into the creek on the morning high tide.

Big screen for the radio RoomThe MRQ Bundaberg Radio Room has been updated with a large, curved screen monitor. This sc...
20/07/2026

Big screen for the radio Room

The MRQ Bundaberg Radio Room has been updated with a large, curved screen monitor. This screen allows display of three screens. One for the AIS and weather forecast, one for vessel tracking and another for log entries.

This upgrade obviates the need for radio operators to vary displays on the previous two screen layout.

The new monitor was funded by MRQ Bundaberg.

MRQ sizzles at BCFMRQ Bundaberg was invited to run the free sausage sizzle at the opening of BCF’s new Super Store in Bu...
20/07/2026

MRQ sizzles at BCF

MRQ Bundaberg was invited to run the free sausage sizzle at the opening of BCF’s new Super Store in Bundaberg last Saturday.

Our crew was inundated over a five-hour period by folks attending the opening. We moved over 900 sausages.

It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the MRQ identity to folks with marine or outdoors interests. Thank you to BCF for this opportunity and the generous donation.

Photos : A selection of the activity at BCF

Winners are grinnersLast Sunday saw the wrap-up of a successful 19th Family Fishing Classic at MRQ Bundaberg.Over 1,000 ...
12/07/2026

Winners are grinners

Last Sunday saw the wrap-up of a successful 19th Family Fishing Classic at MRQ Bundaberg.

Over 1,000 registrations enjoyed Great weather for Friday and Saturday, but Sunday saw an increase in the wind. The live aquarium for the catch and release category was again popular, and the newly added Mangrove Jack category saw several great catches (see the final leader board). Photos of the category winners will be posted soon.

Of course, one of the main attractions is the Lucky Draw boat and trailer packages prizes. These prizes were sponsored by Adventure Marine in Bundaberg, Mercury outboards and MRQ Bundaberg.

Friday winner – Spenser Stirling
Saturday winner – Jesse Harris
Sunday winner - Lance Stitt.

Photos- Tony from MRQ-Spenser and Dan from Adventure Marine; Dan-Jesse-Dan’s Partner; Lance and Partner; The Sunday Lucky Draw’ Final Leader Board

Farewell to fantastic VMRAQ staffYesterday the VMRAQ Executive farewelled paid and volunteer staff from VMRAQ made a mas...
01/07/2026

Farewell to fantastic VMRAQ staff

Yesterday the VMRAQ Executive farewelled paid and volunteer staff from VMRAQ made a massive contribution to our training regime and overall administration. Unfortunately, Jannie Bloem and Ian Ivory were unable to attend.

Special memento awards were prepared (see photos) with appropriate citations for each person.

Andy Ross has been our State Training Coordinator since April 2019 and has been the mainstay for operations within the VMRAQ RTO. He has also administered the online learning and student management system within the aXcelerate platform. Andy has had a career dedicated to training, firstly with Surf Lifesaving, then the airline industry and finally with VMRAQ since 2010.

Ian Ivory has been the volunteer Chief Officer for our RTO, interacting with the Australian Skills and Quality Assessment (ASQA) for responsibility and formal reporting. The RTO was closed as of 30th June 2026.

Jannie Bloem has been a State Training Officer with VMRAQ since July 2023. Jannie had a significant input to training in SE Queensland as well as supporting volunteers on Mornington Island. More recently he assisted Andy with formalities associated with the windup of the RTO.

Peter Stock was appointed as State Operations Manager in October 2024 where he was supported at different times by Administration Assistants Kirsty and Andrea. Peter opted for employed retirement in December 2025, but continued in the role as a volunteer. He has been the general go-to person in VMRAQ and the backbone for VMRAQ operations for negotiations with the insurance brokers, insurance claims, dealing with work cover claims and the sorting out squadron’s telecommunications dues. His volunteer role has allowed him more time to enjoy time on his catamaran with his wife Cathy.

The VMRAQ Executive will remain active until all squadrons have transitioned to MRQ, hopefully by 30th September.

Photos: Lunch group (Ann was the photographer), Awards for the staff.

20m overseas yacht assisted by MRQ BundabeergAt 15:00 yesterday our Duty Skipper took a call from the Radio Room in rela...
25/06/2026

20m overseas yacht assisted by MRQ Bundabeerg

At 15:00 yesterday our Duty Skipper took a call from the Radio Room in relation to whether MRQ Bundaberg could assist on Thursday with berthing of a 20m overseas yacht with a disabled engine. At that time the vessel with 3 POB was 100nm NE of Burnett Heads and expected between 08:00 and midday on Thursday.

Bundy Rescue 2 was launched at 09:15 today to rendezvous with the vessel outside the channel. The line tow was converted to a rafting tow opposite the Port Marina (see maneuver tacks photo). It was a challenging operation in the 20-25 knot SE wind. Because of the combined beam of both vessels Bundy Rum 2 was only able maneuver the bow of the yacht into the pen so it could be manually berthed.

Bundy Rescue 2 was back at Base by midday.

Crew: Mat (Skipper), Adam, Eric, John P and Peter W. Radio: Roger C and Mike.

Photos: Arrival; Tow at sea; Tow in the channel; Rafting tracks; safely docked

Address

51 Harbour Esplanade
Burnett Heads, QLD
4670

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 6pm
Tuesday 6am - 6pm
Wednesday 6am - 6pm
Thursday 6am - 6pm
Friday 6am - 6pm
Saturday 6am - 6pm
Sunday 6am - 6pm

Telephone

+61741594349

Website

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