Marine Rescue Queensland - Victoria Point

27/05/2026

MRQ Victoria Point's A Roster crew were on duty this weekend, focusing heavily on advanced crew qualifications and vessel performance assessments across southern Moreton Bay.

On Saturday, operations commenced with early morning vessel checks before both primary assets were deployed for extensive training runs. The crew utilised VP31 for a series of local navigational runs and assessments throughout the morning and afternoon. Simultaneously, VP21 was tasked with skipper assessments and training.

Weather conditions became challenging on Saturday afternoon, with significant winds and gusts up to 28 knots recorded on the Banana Banks sensor. In these testing conditions, the crew took their time to return to base from Peel Island. Despite the heavy weather, the challenging environment provided an excellent practical backdrop for personnel development. The day concluded with successful skipper assessments, and congratulations are extended to Kyle and Michael for completing their evaluations this weekend. The unit also welcomes back Glen, a former skipper who has returned to the fold after stints with rescue NSW and other Qld units.

The focus on personnel development and asset validation carried over into Sunday. The morning shift saw VP31 out on the water for structured training runs. In the afternoon, VP31 returned to the bay to facilitate a final skipper assessment and to successfully complete a required twenty-hour run-in period for the vessel's new motors.

The week's operations also included a late-night activation on Tuesday, May 26. The unit received a forwarded call from the central 131-MRQ number regarding a stranded sailing monohull near the entrance to Eprapah Creek. The vessel had attempted to enter the creek near high tide, but its 1.7-meter keel grounded on a mud bank just before reaching deeper water.

Three crew members deployed to the scene. Working in coordination with the yacht's crew, the rescue team utilised a combination of a mast halyard pull and a forward tow to safely slide the vessel off the mud bank. The monohull was successfully transferred to the Redland City Marina in preparation for its scheduled haul-out the following day.

26/05/2026

21/05/2026

Heading down to the boat show?

Say G'day to the crew on your way past - Victoria Point will be there with other volunteers and MRQ staff from SEQ to answer questions.

19/05/2026

MRQ Victoria Point had another active week.
D Roster was on duty the weekend of May 16 and 17, combining crew training, and activations.

Saturday was heavily focused on training and vessel assessments. Crews deployed on VP31 during the morning to conduct testing on new motors alongside routine training and refuelling. Operational practice continued throughout the day across both primary assets, with VP21 utilised for crew training in the morning and VP31 returning to the bay for an afternoon training session.

On Sunday, training runs commenced early with patrols and drills on both VP21 and VP31. Operations shifted to an activation late in the morning when a vessel required assistance. The crew on VP21 responded to the call, successfully taking the vessel under tow and transferring it MRQ Jacobs Well for transport to Hope Island where it could be evaluated and repaired.

Following the successful recovery, the roster returned to the base to complete vessel maintenance, washdown, and a final debrief.

The active week also included an after-hours activation on Wednesday, May 13.

Following a report from a member of the public regarding an SOS flashing light pattern noted near Victoria Point, the after-hours crew assembled and launched VP21 to investigate the potential vessel in distress.

A medium sized tinny with a single occupant was located on the south-western shores of Coochiemudlo Island. The individual, who was cold and wet, was safely retrieved from the shallows and transported back to Victoria Point for evaluation. A crew member subsequently returned to the island to secure the vessel, preventing it from drifting into navigation channels or becoming a hazard to other watercraft on the following high tide.

The VP crew also turned out to a MRQ "Crew day" on Monday the 18th at "Horizon Shores", where employees of Marine Rescue Queensland had the opportunity to meet rescue volunteers from a range of units, including MRQ Victoria Point, Coast Guard Southport, MRQ Jacobs Well, MRQ North Stradbroke, and MRQ Redcliffe.

Rain was a constant companion throughout the day, but didn't dampen enthusiasm. Some commented that it was appropriate that inclement weather was present, as it better simulated the sort of conditions that crew will face when called out on an actual activation - sometimes cold, wet, and windy at 2am.

Participants were split up between available vessels, and were taken through simulated rescue situations - rafting up, towing, man-overboard drills, and so on.

The drill included a simulated search-and-rescue situation, where our chief officer Tony Wulff, and his crew of two managed to sneak away on the MRQ training vessel and declare an 'emergency'. Radio chatter hinted that the emergency could be attributed to the lack of suitable hot coffee in the cold conditions; and sure enough the missing vessel was found suspiciously within cooee of the coffee machine at Jacobs Well base soon thereafter.

11/05/2026

Victoria Point volunteers were out and about on the bay across the recent long weekend, conducting patrols training and vessel recovery.

B Roster managed the base on Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd.

Saturday provided an opportunity for an out-of-area training run for recruits, with VP21 travelling south toward Tipplers Resort.

On Sunday, crews focused on assessments and training near Coochiemudlo Island and the Banana Banks.

A Roster took over for the Monday public holiday. Despite a very busy boat ramp and high traffic in the area, the day was characterised by mild weather and light winds.

The unit utilised the time for motor testing and emergency drills on both vessels during the day. At 10:44, the crew on VP31 were conducting an area familiarity assessment near the southern end of Karagarra Island when they encountered a vessel signalling for assistance. The disabled vessel, a small tinny, had a family of three aboard. The vessel was found to have a dead motor and was subsequently taken under tow. Following the recovery, crews returned to training manoeuvres, including person-overboard drills, before closing the base at 5:00 PM.

C Roster took over for the weekend of May 9 and 10.

Saturday was dedicated to comprehensive training manoeuvres and operational preparation.

VP21 was utilised throughout the day for training exercises, including standoff manoeuvres at the westerly cardinal. These sessions allowed the crew to practice vessel handling and seamanship in the local area.

Training continued through Sunday with a focus on towing capabilities and navigational drills. The crew utilised the unit's tender, VP41, to conduct long tow simulations.

Additional exercises included standoff practice at the western cardinal mark before the roster concluded their weekend operations.

05/05/2026

The marine rescue community is a small, tight-knit family. Today, our hearts are heavy as we stand with our brothers and sisters at Marine Rescue Ballina and Marine Rescue NSW.

The loss of two volunteers and one yachtie, on Monday evening, during a mission to save a vessel in distress, is a tragedy that resonates across every coastline and every unit in Australia.

Robert A. Heinlein once noted that "The Moon is a harsh mistress." He was speaking of an environment that is beautiful, yet utterly indifferent to human life; where there is no room for error. Those who serve on the water know that the sea is little different - even when the shore is in sight, even when the lights of the break wall are visible, even when the veteran crew are trained and experienced, the ocean remains a powerful and unpredictable force. It is a "harsh mistress" that demands our constant respect. Our volunteers head out into that environment, knowing those risks, driven by a single mission: to ensure that those in trouble make it home.

Today, we don't ask that our colleagues rest in peace; though peace is certainly deserved. We don't ask that they be remembered for how they left us; though that certainly is a part of their story. Instead, we thank them for being willing to put their lives on the line day after day to safeguard the public. We recognise that these two members made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their local community, answering the call for help when the conditions were at their most unforgiving. Their commitment to the safety of others reflects the very best of our organisation, and while we are deeply saddened, we are also immensely proud of their service.

To the families of the fallen, the crew members who were on the water, and the radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the activation: we stand firmly beside you. Please know that while our units may be miles apart, our mission is the same. You have our support today, tomorrow, and in all the difficult days ahead.

As a mark of respect and solidarity, flags at Marine Rescue Queensland are flying at half-mast. We are united by a common purpose that transcends state borders or the colour of our uniforms. When a tragedy like this occurs, it is felt by every one of us across the entire marine rescue community.

28/04/2026

A Roster team took up the batton for Marine Rescue Victoria Point this weekend.

Preparations began earlier in the week on Thursday when VP21 headed down to Horizon Shores in order to progress the run-in of its' new outboard motors.
The new power plants performed well during the trip, with no surges or overheating noted; we have another 10 hours to put on the clock before the vessel can begin formal marine rescue service, and hope that the weekend ahead will provide the opportunity to add a few hours; with training scheduled on Saturday, and participation in a Search and Rescue Excercise on Sunday.

Despite bleak and wet weather on Saturday morning, the team had a strong turnout and immediately launched VP21 for an Area C patrol and refuelling run in preparation for the SAREX. The crew added three hours in the morning, but took the vessel out of service in the afternoon due to a potential overheat while flushing, which unfortunately cancelled our participation in Sundays exercise. VP31 was bought into service for the remainder of the weekend.

Sunday started with similarly miserable conditions and quiet activity at the boat ramp before the weather cleared for a bright afternoon. The crew took VP21 out for a a short trip around Coochiemudlo Island to monitor engine temperatures, but increased the range and duration of the trip after noting no issues with the motor. VP31 headed out to evaluate a stranded 42 foot cruiser, which had clipped the Pelican banks while heading south to Hope Island. Unfortunately, the dropping tide had already claimed the vessel, and after checking on the welfare of the crew, we scheduled a return for later in the day to assist the vessel off the banks once the tide had risen. The team returned later in the afternoon and gently assisted the cruiser off the sandbar and saw it safely back underway.

The crew also hosted Deputy Unit Commander, and reptile enthusiast from MRQ Whitsundays Adam Cutten on the weekend - though when he discovered that a member of the crew also shared his passion for reptiles, the discussion tended to waver between human and snake rescue strategies; to the delight of some, and the uneasiness of others.

22/04/2026

D Roster were up this weekend for Marine Rescue Victoria Point.

Operations began on Saturday morning with a steady flow of activity at the boat ramp before wind conditions increased in the afternoon.

The team welcomed a new trainee, Hien, to the crew and balanced their shift between training and rescue operations.

The primary activation on Saturday involved assisting a group of two adults and two children on a kayak who were in difficulty.

Martin and the crew successfully rafted the kayak and returned all persons safely to the pontoon.

The remainder of the day was dedicated to training and operational activities across both vessels, including starting the run-in period for the new VP21outboards.

Sunday proved to be another significant day for the team with a mix of training and late-shift activations. A sunken vessel in Eprapah creek was noted - sadly too far gone for the crew to assist with.

Early in the day, the crew logged several training activities on VP31, and the day concluded (a little after normal close-down time) with a 4m tinny that required assistance after running out of fuel just short of the Victoria Point pontoon.

15/04/2026

It was a busy weekend for the crew of C Roster at Marine Rescue Victoria Point.

Activity started on Saturday morning with a patrol of the bay where the crew focused on skills including docking practice at Redland Bay and man-overboard drills. Later that afternoon, the crew was activated at to assist a Mustang 28 that had suffered engine failure near Little Rocky Point, successfully towing the vessel back to Victoria Point.

The momentum continued into Sunday, starting with a VERY early morning activation to assist a vessel that had been disabled overnight. The vessel was hooked up and towed to Redland City Marina as the sun poked over Straddie. After completing the tow, the crew stayed active with boat handling and dolphin (water drone) exercises near Peel Island.

Around lunchtime, the crew turned out to two vessels in distress near Goat Island. VP31 took the first vessel under tow to return it to Victoria Point. The second vessel managed to self-recover when its engine started working again and followed the rescue boat back to VP.

07/04/2026

It is with heavy hearts and profound respect that the crew at Marine Rescue Victoria Point marks the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Glenn Ferguson.

Glenn was a cornerstone of our unit for over a decade, joining us in July 2013. From his early days on A Roster, he was recognised not just for his technical skill, but for the "character and culture" he brought to the team. His journey through the ranks was a testament to his dedication to maritime safety and his methodical approach to training.

Throughout his thirteen years of service, Glenn reached several significant milestones that reflected his commitment to the Moreton Bay community:
* 2014: Promoted to Crew.
* 2015: Promoted to Senior Crew, noted for the high standard of his work and his disciplined approach to rescue operations.
* 2016: Honoured with the Commodore’s Award for his outstanding contributions to the unit.
* 2021: Appointed as Skipper, a role in which he led with experience, calm, and a deep-seated passion for helping those in need on the water.

Glenn’s legacy is woven into the fabric of our unit. He was more than a highly capable mariner; he was a mentor and a pillar of our rescue family. His presence on the water, and his cheeky grin, will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of serving alongside him.

Fair winds and following seas, Skipper. We have the watch from here.