Coast Guard Yeppoon QF11

05/10/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Basic Tool Kit for Boating

You need a tool kit when boating to handle sudden mechanical failures, perform emergency quick-fixes, and stay safe on the water where help can take time to arrive.

Suggestions for a basic toolkit:
● spark plug spanner and spark plugs (for petrol engines)

● small adjustable spanner that will fit the propeller

● pair of pliers

● metal file

● wire brush

● hacksaw and blade

● Phillips head and standard screwdriver

● spare fuel line

● electrical wiring

● insulation tape

● a can of water-displacing spray.

# Safetybyallmeans

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30/09/2026

Rough winds created poor conditions for boating on the weekend with only 95 vessels on the log across the four flotillas for the week.



Many thanks to the gentleman who reported a sick bird in the marina area to Coast Guard Yeppoon. This allowed us to contact the relevant agency for assistance. With Avian flu a possibility, it is important to report any sick wildlife that could be affected. If you see a sick animal please report it - do not touch the animals. To report, phone immediately:

o Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (business hours), or

o Contact the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.

UPCOMING COURSES for October:

Safe Boating 3 October 0800-1130hrs - This free course will be held at the Coast Guard Yeppoon’s Operations centre. The course is a great introduction for new boaters or those new to the area and covers general safety and information regarding local boating. Enjoy a fun morning where you can learn how to safely use flares and different lifejackets, and improve your boating skills and knowledge. This course has no examination. Due to the use of flares in this course, closed footwear is required. For more information and to register, please call (07) 4933 6600.



FLOTILLA INFORMATION:

● Face to Face Meeting: On Saturday 26th November members of the Central Queensland flotillas were invited to a Face to Face meeting at Coast Guard Yeppoon operations centre with joint AVCGA/MRQ delegates. AVCGA National Commodore Matthew Semmens along with Deputy National Commodore David Taylor also joined in online. The purpose of the meeting was to provide AVCGA members with the required information about the transition process to MRQ and their constitutional rights during this process. This is ahead of the proposed transition date of the week beginning November 9. The meeting was well attended with many questions about the process asked and answered.

● Coxswain’s Grade 1 Course - On Sunday 27 November five QF11 members and one QF19 member continued their course with a practical diesel and electrical assessment.

ACTIVATIONS:

● Monday 21 September - A call was received at 13:45 from the owner of a 5.8m Cuddy cabin with four people on board (two adults and two children) who was at Barren Island with an engine that wouldn't tilt down. He didn’t have any tools so Yeppoon Rescue Two set out with four volunteer crew members and a flat bladed screwdriver that was able to solve the problem. With the motor now down he was able to make way back towards the harbour shadowed by Coast Guard for two thirds of the way. He then peeled off on his own way with Coast Guard Yeppoon arriving back at base at 15:35.

● Tuesday 22 September - A call was received at 9:30 from a 7.3m Cabin Cruiser with a blown motor with seven adults and five children on board. He requested a tow from Great Keppel Island (Woppa) back to Rosslyn Bay harbour. Yeppoon Rescue Two set out for the tow with four volunteer crew members. They returned to base with the boat in tow at 11:30.

27/09/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Boating with children.

Safety is the top priority when boating with children and is essential for a safe and enjoyable outing.

● Life Jackets https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Life-jackets - every child on board must have a properly fitted life jacket. In QLD children aged over one year and under 12 years must wear a lifejacket when on an open boat or in the open area of a boat of any length while it's underway.

● Supervision -

○ Assign a dedicated watcher -On a boat with multiple children, designate one adult whose primary job is watching the kids — not driving, fishing, or socialising.

○ Buddy system - In the water, pair children up so they look out for each other. No child should swim alone.

● Sun Protection - Time on the water intensifies UV exposure. The reflection from the water surface means UV hits from above and below.

● Hydration and snacks - Children dehydrate faster than adults, and the combination of sun, wind, and activity on the water accelerates fluid loss. Pack snacks that are easy to eat,

● Clear rules - Establish clear rules before departure e.g.

○ No running on the boat.

○ Stay seated when the boat is moving.

○ Always ask before getting in the water.

○ Always keep your hands inside the boat.

# Safetybyallmeans

A lifejacket is a vital piece of safety equipment that could save your life. Put the lifejacket on as part of your pre-trip preparation. It is a lot harder to put a lifejacket on during an emergency and almost impossible to put it on when you are in the water.

23/09/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260920

Busy day on the ramps on Sunday as the milder winds tempted boaters out to enjoy the start of the school holidays. Overall, there were 119 trips logged across the region. This is just a small fraction of the vessels that took to the water so hopefully everyone else has made sure that they have told someone where they are going and when they are expected back.



Big shout out to Levi who found the missing tender from Lady Peggy on Saturday and hung around until someone could collect it - much appreciated.

UPCOMING COURSES for October:

Safe Boating 3 October 0800-1130hrs - This free course will be held at the Coast Guard Yeppoon’s Operations centre. The course is a great introduction for new boaters or those new to the area and covers general safety and information regarding local boating. Enjoy a fun morning where you can learn how to safely use flares and different lifejackets and improve your boating skills and knowledge. This course has no examination. Due to the use of flares in this course, closed footwear is required. For more information and to register, please call (07) 4933 6600.

Just Held: A CPR and First Aid course was held on Saturday 19 September which attracted 17 Coast Guard Yeppoon crew members. This was the largest first aid course completed at Coast Guard Yeppoon operations centre with many members seeking to renew their qualifications a little early ahead of the changeover to Marine Rescue Queensland. It was also the first course with our new presenter, Lisa Hurring, who willingly shared her expertise to provide an engaging and informative experience.

ACTIVATIONS: Two activations (one of which was cancelled on the outward journey)

● Saturday 19 September: At 0914hrs assistance was requested by the sole rider of a jet ski that would not start. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with five volunteer crew members on board and met the jet ski at Secret Bay, Great Keppel Island (Woppa). They towed the jet ski back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 1150hrs. On both legs of their journey, they kept a look out for a missing tender from Lady Peggy which was last observed drifting near Sloping Island but had no sighting of it. It was subsequently found by a member of the boating public between Pumpkin Island and Sloping Island.

● Sunday 20 September: At 0610hrs the owner and one of two adults on board a 6m cuddy cabin located at North Keppel Island (Konomie) called for assistance due to engine failure. They reported that the single outboard engine had stopped working and that oil was leaking through the engine cowling. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with five volunteer crew members on board, but the activation was cancelled soon after leaving Rosslyn Bay Harbour, as the stricken vessel recontacted to inform that a friend was towing him back to the harbour. The crew returned to base at 0745hrs.

20/09/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Safety advice for paddling on the sea.

Keppel Bay and the Keppels provide many beautiful areas to go paddling on small watercraft like SUPs, sea kayaks, surf skis, and canoes. Whilst the weather is now warming up, conditions, currents, and tides can however change quickly, and the sea that you headed out on may not be so calm when you try to return!

Stay safe:

● Check the marine weather forecast and tide times. If conditions worsen, paddle to the nearest shore immediately.

● Tell someone your plan, route, and return time, and it’s best to write these down too for others to reference and to prevent forgotten information.

● Stay close to shore unless experienced and try to paddle with others.

● Wear a properly fitted life jacket as required for your area and craft.

● Wear bright clothing for the temperature and sun exposure.

● If crossing open water or any area transited by boats, consider fitting a pole light to your craft so that you are easier for boaters to spot.

● In an emergency, stay with your craft: it’s easier to spot than a person in the water! Carry communication equipment such as a waterproof VHF radio or mobile phone in a dry pouch and call for help on Channel 16. Consider purchasing a personal locator beacon if you are planning to go on long trips.

# Safetybyallmeans

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15/09/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260913

What a difference the weather makes - strong winds kept numbers low on the water this week with only forty-two vessels on the log. No calls for assistance were made - nothing happened except training! The marine forecast has more of the same leading into next week. Even if the morning does dawn clear and still, check the forecasts and expect gusting winds to pick up from mid-morning onwards.



UPCOMING COURSES for September: The following course will be held at the Coast Guard Yeppoon Operations Centre, Rosslyn Bay Harbour, and are open to the public. To register, please call on 07 4933 6600, or visit in person.

First Aid:

● Date: Saturday 19 September 08:30 - 15:30 hrs

● Info: First aid certificates are valid for three years, whilst CPR certifications must be refreshed annually

● 2-6 hours duration

● Cost: $150 (First Aid) or $70 (CPR only) for the public.



FLOTILLA INFORMATION:

Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) officials visited all four Central Queensland Flotillas this week with suitcases full of MRQ uniforms for members to try on. The new uniform is blue with yellow inserts and members will be provided with two full sets of working uniforms, hats, warm and wet weather gear, a dress uniform, and even shoes.

The transfer to MRQ is getting closer, and you will soon see us sporting our new uniforms. While we may look different there will still be the same familiar people and the same commitment to safety at sea. As with any transition there will be teething problems and we ask for patience as we navigate the process.

Coast Guard Yeppoon QF11: QF11 Yeppoon monitors communications (radio and telephone) from Friday to Monday 06:00 - 18:00 each week and provides safety coverage 24/7 for the boating community in the area bounded by Townshend Island in the north, Cape Capricorn in the south and Douglas Shoals in the East (~55 Nautical miles from the coast). Regular training is held to maintain skills in all weather conditions.

09/09/2026

Glorious weather during the week plus a student free day on Friday 4 September, saw 238 boaters on the water across the region. It was pleasing that out of this number only 9 vessels needed Coast Guard assistance.



UPCOMING COURSES for September: The following courses will be held at Yeppoon Flotilla, Rosslyn Bay Harbour, and are open to the public. To register, please call Coast Guard Yeppoon on 4933 6600, or visit in person. Our courses fill quickly, so give us a call.

First Aid:

● Date: Saturday 19 September 08:30 - 15:30 hrs

● Info: First aid certificates are valid for three years, whilst CPR certifications must be refreshed annually

● 2-6 hours duration

● Cost: $150 (First Aid) or $70 (CPR only) for the public.

Just Held: The Marine Radio Licence course attracted nine attendees with four public members and five Coast Guard members, two of whom were brushing up on their skills. All were successful in obtaining their marine radio operator’s licence.



: Glorious weather and boating conditions resulted in a remarkably busy weekend for Delta Crew, with nine activations (three on Friday, four on Saturday, and two on Sunday), many of which overlapped! All three rescue boats were used, including the small trailer vessel RIB RV McDonald’s.

ACTIVATIONS:

Friday 04 September:

● At 12:30 two adults aboard a 6.15m centre console vessel requested assistance due to a fuel issue preventing its engine from running. Yeppoon Rescue Two with three volunteer crew members met the vessel in Keppel Bay, halfway between Rosslyn Bay and North Keppel Island (Konomie), taking it under tow. The crew berthed the vessel safely at the Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps and returned to base at 13:45. The vessel owner was a new Marine Assist member.

● At 14:50 two adults on board a four metre jet ski requested a tow due to an inability to start the engine. Yeppoon Rescue Two headed out with three volunteer crew members on board, meeting the jet ski riders at Putney Beach, Great Keppel Island (Woppa). As this jet ski did not have a tow tap, the crew applied the emergency jet ski skin that covers the engine intake and exhaust. This prevents water being forced into and damaging the engine whilst under tow, enabling tows to be completed at normal speeds. The crew towed the jet ski back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, completing the activation at 17:00.

● Yeppoon Rescue Two was not back long before receiving another call for assistance at 17:10 for an RIB located at Great Keppel Island (Woppa). After a quick crew change, three volunteer crew members headed out into a beautiful sunset to meet the stranded boaters at Fisherman’s Beach. This vessel, a 5.2m centre console RIB with three adults and one child on board, could not be started. It was located at the water’s edge, so the crew nosed up to the vessel to pass over the tow line and then pulled them off the beach. This tow was berthed after dark at the public ramps of Rosslyn Bay Harbour, with the crew returning to base at 19:30.



Saturday 05 September:

● At 10.55 the owner of a vessel located just SSE of Sloping Island requested assistance due to a breakdown. This vessel, a 5.1m aluminium plate boat, had two adults and two children aboard. Yeppoon Rescue One responded with six volunteer crew members and took the vessel under tow back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. The crew returned to base at 12:10.

● At 13:42 assistance was requested by the sole rider of another jet ski claimed by Great Keppel Island (Woppa). This 5m fishing jet ski would not start and required a tow. Nine volunteer crew members responded aboard Yeppoon Rescue Two and towed the vessel back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 11:23.

● At 14:15 the owner of a 4.3m side console vessel with two adults on board requested a tow due to steering failure. Yeppoon Rescue Two headed back out with six volunteer crew members and met the boat at Putney Beach, Great Keppel Island (Woppa). This was towed to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, with the crew returning to base at 16:00.

● At 14:24 Yeppoon Rescue Two had just departed base when a call for help came in from two adults aboard a 5.7m cuddy cabin at Iron Pot Island (Bluff Rock). This vessel had a flat battery and could not be started. Seven volunteer crew members responded aboard Yeppoon Rescue One and towed this vessel back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 14:56.



Sunday 06 September:

● At 10:29 two adults on board a jet ski called for help after their engine broke down in Statue Bay. Three volunteer crew members responded aboard RV McDonald’s and towed this vessel the short distance into the public ramps at Rosslyn Bay Harbour, completing the activation at 11:15.

● At 13:21 assistance was requested from a 5.3m vessel located at Leeke’s Beach, Great Keppel Island (Woppa). This vessel, with two adults and three children aboard, had broken down. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with six volunteer crew members and towed the vessel back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 15:00.

07/09/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Speed safety - Refer to https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Waterways/Speed-limits for more information.

Maximum speed limits apply in boating areas throughout Queensland. There are penalties and on-the-spot fines for exceeding a speed limit. For safety reasons, it may also be necessary to stay well below these limits depending on the conditions at the time, for example, harsh weather.

The following speed restrictions apply throughout Queensland whether speed limit signs for the area are present or not.

A speed limit of six knots applies within 30m of:

a person in the water

a boat at anchor, moored, made fast to the shore or aground.

a jetty, wharf, boat ramp, or pontoon in or on the waters in boat harbours, marina, and canals.

Different rules for speed and distance apply to personal watercraft (jet skis). You must reduce your speed to no more than six knots if you are within 60m of:

people in the water

anchored or moored boats, structures, boat ramps, jetties, or pontoons

the boundary of a bathing reserve (check with your local council for locations)

the shore*.

Even at slow speeds your boat will create a wash. Look behind at your wash and be aware of the impacts this can have on the other boats, people in the water or on the shore. Travelling at the speed shown on a speed restriction sign does not guarantee you are not creating excessive wash. When navigating near, in, or through a mooring area drive slowly and keep wash to a minimum and keep a lookout for people in the water, small dinghies and trailing ropes.

# Safetybyallmeans

Maximum speed limits apply in boating areas throughout Queensland. There are penalties and on–the–spot fines for exceeding a speed limit. For safety reasons, it may also be necessary to stay well below these limits depending on the conditions at the time, for example, bad weather.

03/09/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Safety and planning for multi-day boating trips

Heading out to the reef for a few days of fishing is one of the best parts of boating in Queensland, but the further offshore and the longer you're away, the more a small problem can turn into a big one. This is especially important for longer trips, where assistance takes a long time even once the alarm is raised.

Log a trip/float plan with your local Coast Guard or Marine Rescue base before you leave, giving your route, anchorages, and expected return time, and update us if your plans change. It's best to do this over the phone or online so that we also get your vehicle and trailer registration details. If you are late checking in or returning, and we cannot reach you, checking the boat ramp car park tells us straight away whether you're overdue out on the water or have simply already returned and forgotten to log off. This makes a real difference to how quickly and where we start looking.

A few practical tips for the trip itself:

Fuel: Plan on the "rule of thirds" — a third out, a third back, a third in reserve for wind, current, or a detour — and carry extra in secure, well-stowed containers if your tanks don't give you that margin.
Water and provisions: Pack more freshwater than you think you'll need, especially in summer heat, and keep a few days' reserve separate from your everyday supply in case the trip runs long.
Breakdown contingency: Carry basic spares (belts, impellers, fuses, a spare battery, or jump-start pack) and know how to raise help — VHF, HF, or satellite phone/EPIRB — if you can't self-recover.
Regular check-ins: Schedule a set time each day to call in "all good" to your shore contact or Coast Guard. A missed check-in is what gets help looking for you before a flat battery or fouled prop turns into hours adrift unnoticed.
# Safetybyallmeans

02/09/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260830

Reasonably calm weather during the week tempted boaters onto the water. As the winds increased at the end of the week however, there were only seventeen vessels logged on over Saturday and Sunday out of the 135 for the week across the region.

UPCOMING COURSES for September: The following courses will be held at Yeppoon Flotilla, Rosslyn Bay Harbour, and are open to the public. To register, please call Coast Guard Yeppoon on 4933 6600, or visit in person. Our courses fill quickly, so give us a call.

Marine Radio Licence:

Date: Saturday 05 September 08:15 - 14:15 hrs

Cost: $250 for public, or $220 for Marine Assist members

Info: The course covers VHF marine radios, plus MF and HF training too for those seeking additional training. This course includes an examination.

Required: Please bring your driver’s licence as well as your Unique Student Identifier (USI) number: usi.gov.au/create.

First Aid:

Date: Saturday 19 September 08:30 - 15:30 hrs

Info: First aid certificates are valid for three years, whilst CPR certifications must be refreshed annually

2-6 hours duration

Cost: $150 (First Aid) or $70 (CPR only) for the public.

FLOTILLA INFORMATION:

Coxswain Training: Coxswain training for the Central Queensland flotillas continued with some aspiring coxswains finishing their practical assessment on Monday 24 August in the waters off Yeppoon and others from Coast Guard Thirsty Sound being assessed on Sunday 30 August.

Vale Vivienne (Viv) Semple: It was with great sadness that members of the CQ Flotillas attended the funeral of Vivienne Semple on Friday 28 September. Viv joined QF11 in July 1986 and became heavily involved in the organisation in the roles of Quartermaster, Purser, and fund raiser in its formative years. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.

Activations: Just one activation during this increasingly windy week, but it was another long twelve-hour job for our volunteers.

Wednesday 26 August: At 1330 a solo yachtsman aboard a 12.5m monohull requested assistance from just south of Dome Reef. The vessel had just motored east out of Pearl Bay when it suffered a fuel blockage, and the yachtie reported that he was unable to effectively manoeuvre by sail. Four volunteer crew members responded aboard Yeppoon Rescue Two and took the vessel under tow at around 1630, averaging eight knots on the return journey. This long return transit took six hours down to Rosslyn Bay Marina, where the yacht was assisted to a mooring. The crew returned to base extremely late at 2310 following a transit spanning nearly 95 nautical miles.

Training: Charlie crew undertook training in rafting and berthing using Yeppoon Rescue One and Two in the strong winds to improve their skills in this vital part of rescues.