Coast Guard Tin Can Bay QF17

22/08/2026

Changes are coming, but we will be doing the same thing...

Media Release: September 2026
Coast Guard Tin Can Bay will become Marine Rescue Queensland VMR417, Tin Can Bay, Queensland — September 2026: Coast Guard Tin Can Bay wishes to remind local boating, fishing and yachting communities that the transition to Marine Rescue Queensland is well underway. The transfer is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026.

As outlined in our previous community update, boaties who currently log on through our Trip Watch service should be aware that changes are ahead. We will continue to monitor the transition closely and provide updated information as it becomes available.
Members of the community are welcome to contact the Tin Can Bay Coast Guard base on 07 5486 4290 or contact Karl Hempstead, Public Relations Officer, on 0427 769 504 for further information.
Public relations officers will also be available at the Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay markets over the coming months to speak with members of the public and provide information about any new changes as they are confirmed.

QF17 officers have recently had the opportunity to be fitted with the new Marine Rescue Queensland uniforms. The new uniforms will become more noticeable in the local community as the transition progresses.

Most importantly, our commitment to safe waterways remains unchanged. We remind all vessel owners to maintain safe boating practices, including checking the age and condition of fuel, looking for electrical faults, and servicing outboard or inboard motors before launching from local boat ramps. Also be very aware of the Queensland Governments life jacket legislation and ensure the young and elderly are wearing them on days out or fishing.
Marine Rescue Queensland, VMR417 thank the local community for its patience and support during this important period of change. Further updates will be shared as soon as they are available.

Karl Hempstead
Public Relations Officer
Coast Guard/ Marine Rescue Queensland VMR417
Mobile - 0427769504

21/08/2026

Who does what...
QF17 Media Release: Your Questions Answered
What is the difference between the Coast Guard, Maritime Safety Queensland, Marine Rescue Queensland and Queensland Water Police?
Many people in our community see marine rescue vessels, government patrol boats and police vessels on Queensland waterways and understandably wonder who does what. This media release has been prepared by QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay to help explain the different roles of volunteer marine rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Water Police.
Coast Guard and Marine Rescue Queensland
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard has served boating communities for decades as a volunteer organisation providing on-water rescue operations, boating safety training, marine radio support and assistance to mariners. For many years, most local Coast Guard flotillas raised much of their own funding through raffles, donations and community support.
Queensland is now moving to a new model through Marine Rescue Queensland, a statewide volunteer marine rescue service established under the Queensland Police Service. Marine Rescue Queensland brings together units from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland, with current marine rescue services maintained during the staged transition.
For flotillas that transition to Marine Rescue Queensland, the day-to-day purpose remains familiar: helping boaters in emergencies, assisting vessels in difficulty, providing radio communications support and promoting safer boating. The uniforms, logo and vessel colours may change, but the focus remains on assisting mariners when help is needed, whether during a serious marine incident or a tow back to the boat ramp after engine failure.
Maritime Safety Queensland
Maritime Safety Queensland is part of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Its role is to protect Queensland’s waterways and the people who use them by supporting safer, cleaner seas.
MSQ’s responsibilities include improving maritime safety through regulation and education, responding to marine pollution, supporting aids to navigation and vessel traffic services, and helping ensure vessels operate safely. MSQ is also involved in matters such as lifejacket requirements, boating safety compliance, moorings, anchoring issues and the removal or management of unsafe, derelict or abandoned vessels that may become hazards.
While MSQ may work with Coast Guard or Marine Rescue Queensland when the situation requires it, MSQ is not the same organisation as a local volunteer rescue flotilla. Its primary role is regulation, safety, environmental protection and waterway management.
Queensland Water Police
Queensland Water Police are the law-enforcement presence on the water. Their role includes policing Queensland waterways, assisting in search and rescue operations, responding to marine incidents and targeting unsafe or illegal boating behaviour.
Water Police may patrol busy boating areas, personal watercraft hotspots and other high-use waterways. They can respond to matters such as drink or drug driving on the water, speeding, failure to carry required safety equipment, lifejacket offences and other breaches of maritime law.
What This Means for QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay
QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay is about helping mariners of all types through rescue assistance, towing support, safe boating training and marine radio communications. Our volunteers are not police officers, and we do not have authority to uphold maritime law in Queensland.
QF17 does not salvage vessels and does not conduct official mooring inspections. We may, however, observe vessels in local waters and report concerns where appropriate, particularly if a vessel appears to be at risk or could create a hazard.
In simple terms, volunteer marine rescue is here to assist mariners; Maritime Safety Queensland helps regulate and protect the waterways; and Queensland Water Police enforce the law on the water.
Volunteers Welcome
QF17 volunteers will be attending market days in July, and we look forward to speaking with community members interested in joining our team. Volunteer opportunities are available in both crew and radio positions.
If you are considering volunteering, please contact Karl Hempstead, QF17 Public Relations Officer, on 0427 769 504 or by email at [email protected].
Remember: safety in boating starts before you leave the ramp.

Karl Hempstead – QF17 Public Relations

21/08/2026

What you should know...

Keeping Queensland Boaters Safe:
Essential Safety Tips and Regulations for Boating in Queensland
Boating in Queensland offers incredible opportunities to explore stunning coastlines, rivers, and bays. At the heart of Tin Can Bay, Coast Guard QF17 stands as a trusted ally for local boaters, ensuring safety on the water through education, support, and rescue operations. Whether you’re heading out for a day’s fishing or cruising the waterways, understanding boating safety is vital for every skipper and crew member.
Boating Safety Equipment:
What Every Vessel Needs
All boats travelling Queensland waters must carry key safety equipment. This includes approved life jackets for each person aboard, distress signals like flares, a waterproof torch, fire extinguishers, and a reliable means of communication such as a marine radio or mobile phone. Regularly checking your gear ensures it’s in working order and ready for use if needed. Coast Guard QF17 recommends making safety checks a habit before every trip. DON’T DRINK AND GO BOATING – SAME LAWS APPLY AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING YOUR CAR.
Queensland Boating Laws: Licences and Regulations
To operate a recreational boat fitted with an engine in Queensland, you need a valid boat licence. The law requires skippers to be familiar with boating regulations, including speed limits, navigation rules, and safe operation guidelines. It’s essential to complete an approved training course and carry your licence when boating. Staying up to date with local laws helps prevent fines and keeps everyone safe.
Life Jacket Regulations:
Inshore and Offshore Rules. Wearing life jackets saves lives.
Inshore waters require life jackets to be worn during risky conditions, such as crossing bars or by children under 12. Offshore, regulations are stricter: life jackets must be always worn in open waters, dependant of size of vessel. Coast Guard QF17 emphasises that even confident swimmers should wear a life jacket, especially when weather turns or in emergencies.
Vessel Maintenance: Electrical, Battery, and Fuel Checks
Before setting off, check your vessel’s electrical systems for faults or loose connections. Inspect battery terminals for corrosion and ensure batteries are charged. Assess your fuel quality—look for signs of water contamination and top up with fresh fuel if needed. Proper maintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps your vessel reliable when you need it most.
Navigation Basics: Procedures and Maritime Markers
Understanding basic navigation is crucial. Learn how to plot your course, use charts, and interpret maritime markers—such as port and starboard buoys, channel markers, and special signs indicating hazards or safe passage. Always follow navigation lights and signals and stay aware of changing tides and weather conditions. Coast Guard QF17 offers guidance for boaters seeking to improve their navigation skills.
Emergency Procedures: Fire, Man Overboard, Collision, and Hazard Reporting
In the event of a fire, cut off fuel supply, if possible, alert everyone on board, and use a fire extinguisher. If someone falls overboard, maintain visual contact, throw a life ring, and manoeuvre the vessel safely for rescue. In case of a collision, check for injuries, secure the scene, and contact authorities. Report maritime hazards—like floating debris or damaged markers —to Coast Guard QF17 or Marine Safety Queensland to help keep waterways safe for all.
Conclusion: Safe Boating Starts with You
Safe boating is everyone’s responsibility. By following Queensland laws, maintaining your vessel, and knowing what to do in emergencies, you help protect yourself, your passengers, and other water users. Coast Guard Tin Can Bay QF17 is always here to support local boaters with advice, patrols, and emergency assistance. For more information or help, contact the Coast Guard and make safety your priority every time you head out on the water.
For further information regarding the above, you can seek further information by accessing the Marine Safety Queensland website or call 132380 to report any maritime hazards in your area and licensing and regulations.
QF17 base landline 54864290 or contact Public Relations Officer Karl Hempstead on mobile 0427769504

11/08/2026

New MRQ uniform fitting at TCB, bright new shirts! Transitioning has started at TCB Norman Point you will notice new branding on the Building and boats. This F/Book page will disappear? MRQ will be providing a new page, When you ask, late September when CG fully change over. You might like to look at https://www.mrq.qld.gov.au/

11/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DVEo5cRbA/

10/08/2026

Vessels tracking south toMBA should contact. VMR 406 for River entry advice on vhf ch 80/73

Mooloolaba Entrance Update

Department of Transport and Main Roads - Maritime Safety Queensland
NOTICE TO MARINERS 432 (T) of 2026
Issued by Brisbane Maritime Region on 7 August 2026
Area: Brisbane Pilotage area
Locality: Mooloolah River Bar
Activity: Shoaling and dredging
Mariners are advised that a hydrographic survey of the Mooloolah River and its coastal bar on Wednesday 5 August 2026, shows a shoal patch extending from the end of the eastern breakwater in a westerly direction across the entrance channel. The shoal has a least depth of approximately 1.6 metres at LAT within the centre white sector of the entrance channel. The shoal patch on the eastern side of the entrance channel's red sector has a least depth of 1.7 metres at LAT. The shoal patch on the western edge of the entrance channel's green sector indicated by the port entry light has a least depth of approximately 1.4 metres at LAT. There is an additional shoal patch west of the entrance channel which has a least depth of approximately 1.1 metres at LAT within the limited area of survey.

Mariners are reminded that coastal bars, including the Mooloolah Bar, are dynamic environments where conditions and depths are currently subject to rapid changes due to prevailing weather and tidal influences. Mariners must exercise heightened caution, regularly monitor conditions, and ensure they have the latest information before navigating the area. Careful planning of bar crossings, with consideration to prevailing conditions, the state of the tide, and the draught of their vessels, is essential. The coastal bar must always be navigated with extreme caution. Three reference marks for guidance only have been promulgated to facilitate a possible alternative route of navigation to and from the entrance channel. The reference marks can be portrayed on automatic identification system (AIS) and electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).
Reference mark 1 (BNE MRB REF 1) positioned at 26° 40.8675' S 153° 07.8257' E,
Reference mark 2 (BNE MRB REF 2) positioned at 26° 40.7927' S 153° 07.9164' E,
Reference mark 3 (BNE MRB REF 3) positioned at 26° 40.8390' S 153° 07.8778' E.

Masters of vessels must remain mindful of the heightened risk of swimmers and passive craft in the area due to the proximity to Mooloolaba Beach. Map S11-802 attached, shows the current channel. Copies of the survey plan are available from the Sunshine Coast office of Maritime Safety Queensland at Mooloolaba. The dredge ‘CSD Navua’ is on station and will be undertaking dredging operations, weather permitting. The dredge will exhibit day shapes and lights as required by the Collision Regulations. Whilst operating the dredge master will maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 and 82. Mariners must carefully consider the position of the 'CSD Navua' its floating pipeline and anchors when navigating the bar. They should contact the dredge master to ensure it is safe to transit past the dredge.

Masters of smaller recreational boats, personal watercraft, and passive craft like kayaks and canoes must remain mindful of the heightened risk to larger vessels navigating the river entrance and coastal bar. Except for entering and departing the river, these smaller vessels and passive craft should keep well clear of the coastal bar and not use it for recreational purposes.

Mariners are also reminded that the Mooloolah River entrance is defined as a coastal bar. This means that a lifejacket must be worn when boating alone or only with children under 12 years on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway; crossing designated coastal bars on an open ship and on an open area of a boat of any length and on certain craft; children one year or more and under 12 years are on an open boat or an open area of a boat of any length whilst underway; and night time boating, between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway.
Refer to notice: none
Cancel notice: 416(T) of 2026
AUS charts affected: 236
ENC Cells affected: AU5MLL01
Latitude and longitude positions are on WGS84 horizontal datum and are compatible with GDA2020 datum.
For further information about this notice, please contact: The Brisbane Regional Harbour Master’s office: Phone: 07 3632 7500 Email: [email protected]
Notice authorised by: Regional Harbour Master (Brisbane) - Maritime Safety Queensland

02/08/2026

We had some visitors! MRQHB to do WBB training

28/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17uQEDVrHA/

Wishful thinking, could we get some new comms gear when we transition into MRQ, we use a single screen, an old land line phone and a second hand mobile

28/07/2026

I see MSQ are adding 3 reference points to the MBA river entrance,
as their bar silts up more!

Mooloolaba Entrance Update

Department of Transport and Main Roads - Maritime Safety Queensland
NOTICE TO MARINERS 416 (T) of 2026
Issued by Brisbane Maritime Region on 28 July 2026
Area: Brisbane pilotage area
Locality: Mooloolah River Bar
Activity: Shoaling and dredging

Mariners are advised that a hydrographic survey of the Mooloolah River and its coastal bar on Monday 27 July 2026, shows a shoal patch extending from the end of the eastern breakwater in a westerly direction across the entrance channel. The shoal has a least depth of approximately 0.9 metres at LAT within the centre white sector of the entrance channel. The shoal patch on the eastern side of the entrance channel's red sector has a least depth of 0.8 metres at LAT. The shoal patch on the western edge of the entrance channel's green sector indicated by the port entry light has a least depth of approximately 0.8 metres at LAT. There is an additional shoal patch west of the entrance channel which has a least depth of approximately 1.1 metres at LAT within the limited area of survey.

Mariners are reminded that coastal bars, including the Mooloolah Bar, are dynamic environments where conditions and depths are currently subject to rapid changes due to prevailing weather and tidal influences. Mariners must exercise heightened caution, regularly monitor conditions, and ensure they have the latest information before navigating the area. Careful planning of bar crossings, with consideration to prevailing conditions, the state of the tide, and the draught of their vessels, is essential. The coastal bar must always be navigated with extreme caution. Three reference marks for guidance only have been promulgated to facilitate a possible alternative route of navigation to and from the entrance channel.

The reference marks can be portrayed on automatic identification system (AIS) and electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).
Reference mark 1 (BNE MRB REF 1) positioned at 26° 40.8675’ S 153°07.8257’ E,
Reference mark 2 (BNE MRB REF 2) positioned at 26° 40.7927' S 153° 07.9164' E,
Reference mark 3 (BNE MRB REF 3) positioned at 26° 40.8390' S 153° 07.8778' E.

Masters of vessels must remain mindful of the heightened risk of swimmers and passive craft in the area due to the proximity to Mooloolaba Beach.

Map S11-801 attached, shows the current channel.
Copies of the survey plan are available from the Sunshine Coast office of Maritime Safety Queensland at Mooloolaba.

The dredge ‘CSD Navua’ is on station and will be undertaking dredging operations, weather permitting. The dredge will exhibit day shapes and lights as required by the Collision Regulations. Whilst operating the dredge master will maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 and 82. Mariners must carefully consider the position of the 'CSD Navua' its floating pipeline and anchors when navigating the bar. They should contact the dredge master to ensure it is safe to transit past the dredge.

Masters of smaller recreational boats, personal watercraft, and passive craft like kayaks and canoes must remain mindful of the heightened risk to larger vessels navigating the river entrance and coastal bar. Except for entering and departing the river, these smaller vessels and passive craft should keep well clear of the coastal bar and not use it for recreational purposes. Mariners are also reminded that the Mooloolah River entrance is defined as a coastal bar. This means that a lifejacket must be worn when boating alone or only with children under 12 years on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway; crossing designated coastal bars on an open ship and on an open area of a boat of any length and on certain craft; children one year or more and under 12 years are on an open boat or an open area of a boat of any length whilst underway; and night time boating, between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway.

Refer to notice: none
Cancel notice: 383(T) of 2026
AUS charts affected: 236
ENC Cells affected: AU5MLL01
Latitude and longitude positions are on WGS84 horizontal datum and are compatible with GDA2020 datum.
For further information about this notice, please contact: The Brisbane Regional Harbour Master’s office: Phone: 07 3632 7500 Email: [email protected]
Notice authorised by: Regional Harbour Master (Brisbane) - Maritime Safety Queensland

27/07/2026

Fire Drill...

Fire Extinguisher Safety Check Guide

A fire extinguisher is one of the most important pieces of emergency equipment onboard a ship or in any workplace. Regular inspection ensures it is ready for immediate use during a fire emergency.

✅Key Safety Checks

* Pressure Gauge: The needle should be in the green zone, indicating the extinguisher is fully charged.
* Safety Pin and Seal: Ensure the pin is securely in place and the tamper seal is unbroken.
* Inspection Tag: Verify the extinguisher has a current inspection record and has not exceeded its maintenance date.
* Body Condition: Check for dents, rust, corrosion, leaks, or any physical damage.
* Hose and Nozzle: Ensure they are clean, free from cracks or blockages, and firmly attached.
* Instruction Label: The operating instructions must be clear and easy to read.
* Correct Type: Confirm the extinguisher is suitable for the class of fire it may be used on.
* Accessibility: Keep the extinguisher properly mounted and free from obstructions for quick access during emergencies.

✅Remember: A properly maintained fire extinguisher can control a small fire before it spreads, protecting lives, property, and the vessel. Regular inspections are essential to ensure it is always ready for use.