Coast Guard Yeppoon QF11

16/08/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: H5 AVIAN INFLUENZA - A message from the Reef Authority August Update 2026

We (the Reef Authority) have confirmation of a positive case of the H5 avian influenza in Queensland. Our experts through the Reef Joint Field Management Program are experienced in how to operate in the face of these sorts of challenges and will continue to remain in regular contact with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Biosecurity Queensland to ensure we have the latest information and can respond appropriately.

What you can do:

If you encounter sick or dead birds or other wildlife, you should:

• AVOID: Keep yourself, your guests, your pets, and others away from the birds or their immediate environment.

• RECORD: Note the exact location and description of the bird(s).

• REPORT: 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.

• CLEAN: When going to and from national parks, reserves or farms, clean your footwear, clothing, and vehicles to help prevent spreading diseases between places.

• OBSERVE: If you’re travelling past a known seabird colony, observe from a distance and see if there’s anything unusual or unexpected (such as large numbers of dead birds on an island). If you see something unusual, report it to:

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

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

Send a message to learn more

12/08/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260809

Noticeably quiet week all round for all the flotillas with only ninety-six boats on the log with more boaters taking advantage of a sunnier Sunday to get on the water. Coast Guard Rockhampton undertook something out of the ordinary this week when they were tasked to locate a sunken car in the Fitzroy River.

UPCOMING COURSES: There are no courses scheduled for August.

Training: On Sunday 9 August at 0800, QF19 brought Bluefin Sports Rescue with five volunteer crew to Keppel Bay and Islands for training away from the river environment. They teamed up with QF11 to gain further experience, finishing at 1115.

Coast Guard Yeppoon QF11:

Activation: On Sunday 9 August a call was received at 1130 from a Marine Assist member in a 5m Cuddy cabin with two people on board. They had broken down near Miall Island and were requesting a tow. Yeppoon Rescue Two was dispatched with five volunteer crew members and the vessel was taken under tow and returned to Rosslyn Bay harbour boat ramps at 1230.

10/08/2026

Helicopter training between Coast Guard and CapRescue is scheduled for this morning and Thursday morning @ 10am Wreck Point. Dependant on work load and weather conditions. All welcome to come down and watch.

09/08/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Weather conditions

We have continued windy conditions predicted for the week ahead, with unpredictable gusts and morning fog. It is crucial to check weather conditions before heading out to sea, and to monitor the weather during your trip in case of unforeseen changes.

Important considerations include:

Marine weather warnings: As well as checking the forecast for the duration of your trip, look also for changing conditions in the hours afterwards. There are many reasons why your return home can be delayed or prolonged, and if seas and winds are rising this can present safety risks.

Wind and gusts: Gusts can be as much as 40% stronger than sustained wind speeds. Know the safe limits of your vessel; for example, for small vessels the safe upper limit for wind speed may be 15kts. For sailing vessels it is vital to also consider crew capacity and experience.

Waves and swells: Wind speed directly impacts sea conditions, and wind is a primary driver of waves and swell. Keep this in mind too when crossing coastal bars, where unpredictable steep and breaking waves may arise. Heavy rain and winds can impact tidal ranges.

Multiple resources exist for checking marine weather:

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Marine Forecasts: Provides detailed forecasts, warnings, and other marine information.

MetEye: A BoM tool for viewing weather maps, including wind and wave forecasts.

MarineLite: A service for downloading weather information in remote areas or for users with limited internet access.

VHF Radio: Coastal radio stations transmit weather reports every day. In Capricornia, the Coast Guard weather reports are provided three times daily at 07:10, 12:10, and 17:10.

It is also possible to call the Coast Guard over the phone or radio to receive weather information at other times.

Finally, if you are ever in doubt as to your capacity to make it home or to safe waters due to changing conditions, call for advice or assistance.

# Safetybyallmeans

IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT US:

QF24 Coast Guard Thirsty Sound Ph: 07 4937 3155

QF20 Coast Guard Keppel Sands Ph: 07 4934 4906

QF19 Coast Guard Rockhampton Ph: 0428 580 646

Send a message to learn more

05/08/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260802

Windy conditions kept boating down over the weekend with only ninety vessels on TripWatch across the four Central Queensland Flotillas.

UPCOMING COURSES: There are no further courses scheduled for August.

Just Held (See photos): On Saturday 1 August, the Safe Boating Course attracted ten participants who enjoyed the information session and the opportunity to set off flares.

Coast Guard Yeppoon QF11:

Activations: This week Yeppoon Flotilla performed two activations and two public service engagements. The weather was largely blustery again on the weekend.

Wednesday 29 July: At 0816 the owner and one of two adults on board a 6.4m half cabin cruiser requested assistance due to engine breakdown. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with three volunteer crew members and met the vessel at Man & Wife rocks, towing it back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. The crew returned to base at 1000

Saturday 01 August: Saturday brought an early wake up call for four volunteer crew members with a 0100 request to undertake a medivac from Great Keppel Island (Woppa). With winds over 20 knots conditions were at sea state five, but the night was at least clear and bright with a 92% full moon. Yeppoon Rescue One transported two Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics and their equipment over to Fisherman’s Beach, where they disembarked onto the sand via the bow ladder. This requires clear communication and safe, effective teamwork to first set up the metal boarding ladder off the bow, and to then bring the vessel bow up onto the beach and to hold it firmly against wind and current. One patient was then brought off the island and transported back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, which provided a shallower ramp angle for moving the stretcher and gear rather than the Coast Guard ramp at low tide. Coast Guard volunteers assisted the QAS paramedics with the gear and patient, returning to base at 0440.

Public Service:

During the week Coast Guard Yeppoon undertook two public service activations to support Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre on North Keppel Island (Konomie). On the morning of Monday 27 July, four volunteer crew members aboard Yeppoon Rescue Two towed several small tinnies over to the island for Yeppoon State High School, and on Wednesday afternoon three volunteer crew members towed them back again.

Night Training (see photos): On Thursday 30 July at 1800 the second night training session was held with four crew members on board Marine Assist Rescue heading over to Considine Beach. These night time sessions are invaluable in equipping crew with the skills needed to perform rescues under all conditions.

03/08/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Running out of fuel is preventable

It's about knowing your numbers, sticking to a reserve rule, and not pushing your luck when conditions change. No matter the size of your vessel, the principle is identical: calculate what you need, add a buffer, and refuel before you're in trouble. Keep in mind that the Coast Guard is not able to bring out fuel, you will need to be towed back.

The Rule of Thirds - Use one-third of your total fuel capacity to reach your destination, one-third to return, and keep the final third as reserve. On the water, conditions flip fast—what starts as calm seas at 0700 can turn into 15-knot headwinds and one metre chop by 1100, doubling your burn rate. Don't cheat the reserve by assuming ideal conditions. The reserve isn't for ideal days—it's for when the forecast is wrong or your fuel gauge reads optimistic because the sender float is corroded.

# Safetybyallmeans

29/07/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260726

A big shout out to Keppel Dive and everyone involved in the safe retrieval of two kayakers who were being blown out to sea from Leekes Beach on Monday 20 July after not being able to make headway in the intense winds. The vessel Sensation phoned Coast Guard Yeppoon to report the situation with Coast Guard contacting The Hideaway and Keppel Dive. Keppel Dive had sent a boat from Secret Beach as they had been talking to Sensation on channel 16. Keppel Dive informed Coast Guard Yeppoon that they had assisted the two Kayakers and were returning them to their yacht. A notable example of cooperation to keep everyone safe on the water.

UPCOMING COURSES: The courses below will be held at the Coast Guard Yeppoon Operations Centre. To register or enquire, please call 07 4933 6600, or visit in person.

August:

Safe Boating Saturday 01 August 08:30 - 11:30 (closed in shoes required): The Safe Boating Course is free and a great introduction for new boaters or those new to the area. It covers general safety and provides information on local boating areas. Enjoy a fun morning where you can learn how to safely use flares and different lifejackets and improve your boating skills and knowledge.

Just Held: General Purpose Hand Theory Saturday 25 July - The focus was on the mandatory theory components for the General Purpose Hand qualification to become boat crew for Coast Guard vessels. Seven new members took part in the course, one of whom was from Coast Guard Thirsty Sound.

Activations: Blustery weather kept many off the water during the week, with more action seen over Friday and the weekend. Keppel Island Swimming Association held their annual swim event based upon Great Keppel Island (Woppa), bringing many more boats and kayakers into the area, with Coast Guard Yeppoon on-site in support.

Monday 20 July: At 0901 the owner and one of six adults on board a 12.2m monohull yacht requested assistance to enter Rosslyn Bay Marina. This vessel had been travelling up the coast for some days when it developed an electrical fault that resulted in smoke and a near-fire. The vessel was able to disable electrics and motor to Statue Bay, but required assistance to safely enter, manoeuvre, and berth within the marina. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with four volunteer crew members and first explored berthing options within the marina, keeping in the strong winds and limited manoeuvrability. They then towed the vessel into the marina and safely berthed it upon the end of an arm, returning to base at 1030.

Thursday 23 July: Early on Thursday morning the master of a 12m commercial fishing vessel with two adults on board requested assistance due to engine failure. The vessel was located within Port Clinton and could not mobilise due to the engine overheating. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with four volunteer crew members and made the long transit up to Port Clinton, taking the heavy vessel under tow back to the Rosslyn Bay Marina commercial wharves. This activation covered 90 nautical miles (165km) in total, all in heavy seas, with the crew returning to base at 1730.

Sunday 26 July: At 0750 the owner and sole rider of a jetski tied up on Putney Beach, Great Keppel Island (Woppa), requested a tow back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. This jet ski rider had given his time over Friday and Saturday to act as a support vessel for the Keppel Island Swimming Association swimming races, but during Saturday the jet ski intake had sucked up beach sand and shell debris, limiting engine functionality to a maximum of 4-6 knots. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with four volunteer crew members, and met the rider at Putney Beach. As this jetski does not have a tow tap to protect the engine, Coast Guard instructed the rider to apply the protective skirt that prevents water being forced into the jet ski engine, and permits them to be towed at normal speeds. The crew berthed the jetski back at Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 0958.

Public Service: Saturday 25 July Swim Around Keppel - Marine Assist Rescue with four volunteer crew set off in the morning to provide support for the eighth annual Swim Around Keppel event held by the Keppel Island Swimming Association. The Saturday event was a 20km swim around the island. Marine Assist Rescue were on site at the swimming turnaround point just inside Butterfish Bay, northwest of Big Peninsula. The crew picked up a mooring buoy to avoid anchoring so close to the reef, and carried additional towels and medical supplies on board in case any swimmers required assistance. Whilst out there they also used this vantage point to take photos of every swimmer and support paddler participating in the event, which was a lot of fun; everybody did exceptionally well and were in great spirits despite the blustery, cold conditions! The photos have been given to event operators for the competitors. Coast Guard Yeppoon provided six hours of coverage for this event, returning to base at 1500.

Members:

Vale Michael Gorman - It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Michael Gorman on Friday 24 July. Michael joined QF11 in 1996 and was a larger than life, long term member, skipper, and sponsor of boats with QF11. He has been in a long term battle with cancer, which unfortunately he lost this week.

David Orr - On Wednesday 22 July three members of QF11 visited David for his birthday. David has been a member since April 2012 and has volunteered over one thousand hours working in the radio room. After an unfortunate accident at home, and an eight month recovery in hospital, he is finally back home.

22/07/2026

Coast Guard – Central Qld Squadron Media Release 20260719

The winds came up on Thursday and stayed for the weekend with strong wind warnings for Saturday and Sunday. With a windy weekend approaching it seems many boaters were out before the wind got up, but some required help to get home again. While 101 boats logged a trip over the week only 20 of these occurred over the weekend. Bait fish were about and a flock of pelicans with some cormorant hangers on were making the most of it in the Rosslyn Bay harbour.

UPCOMING COURSES: The courses below will be held at the Coast Guard Yeppoon Operations Centre. To register or enquire, please call 07 4933 6600, or visit in person.

July:

General Purpose Hand Theory Saturday 25 July - The focus is on the mandatory components for the General Purpose Hand qualification to become boat crew for Coast Guard vessels.

August:

Safe Boating Saturday 01 August 08:30 - 11:30 (closed in shoes required): The Safe Boating Course is free and a great introduction for new boaters or those new to the area. It covers general safety and provides information on local boating areas. Enjoy a fun morning where you can learn how to safely use flares and different lifejackets and improve your boating skills and knowledge.

Just Held: Radio Course Saturday 18 July (see photos): Seven people used the radio course to gain their certification this weekend. They consisted of two members of Coast Guard Yeppoon, two from Coast Guard Keppel Sands, and one member of the public. Many thanks to Jim Goodsell who continues to provide his expertise in running this course.

Activations: A very busy week for Yeppoon Flotilla with multiple activations from last Sunday afternoon and through the following week.

Sunday 12 July: At 1443 Yeppoon Flotilla responded to a request for assistance from a boater located out at Pinnacles Reef. The half cabin cruiser, with three adults on board, suffered engine failure due to issues with the fuel injectors. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with four volunteer crew members on board and took the vessel under tow, bringing them back into Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. After this long job the crew returned to base at 1800. Total distance for this activation was 39 nautical miles (72km).

Sunday 12 July: At 1610 assistance was requested by the owner and one of two adults on board a 13.4m flybridge cruiser. This vessel had suffered engine failure in one of its two engines, and whilst it had been able to reach Statue Bay on its remaining engine, it required assistance to safely enter and manoeuvre within the marina. Yeppoon Rescue One responded with four volunteer crew members and towed the vessel into a berthing at Keppel Bay Marina. The crew returned to base at 1645.

Sunday 12 July: At 1730 the same crew headed back out in Yeppoon Rescue One to assist a 7.9m commercial fishing vessel that had broken down. This boat, with five adults on board, was located North West of Miall Island in Keppel Bay. The vessel was towed back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, with the crew returning to base at 1845.

Monday 13 July: At 1015 a boater requested assistance with their 6.6m half cabin cruiser. This boat was located at Putney Beach, Great Keppel Island (Woppa), and the engine would not start. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with three volunteer crew members, and towed the vessel with two adults on board back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. Yeppoon Rescue Two returned to base at 1150.

Wednesday 15 July: At 0953 assistance was requested for a 7m cuddy cabin with three adults on board. The boat had lost power in Keppel Bay and required towing. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with four volunteer crew members on board and towed the vessel back into Rosslyn Bay Harbour, returning to base at 1145.

Wednesday 15 July: At 1530 two adults aboard a 6.7m cabin cruiser requested assistance due to suspected battery issues and inability to start the engine. Yeppoon Rescue Two responded with three volunteer crew members, and located the vessel at Big Sandhills Beach (Butterfish Bay) on Great Keppel Island (Woppa). The engine was able to be jump started with a battery pack, so the vessel was shadowed back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps. The crew returned to base at 1700.

Thursday 16 July: At 0800 the owner and one of three adults on board a 10m half cabin cruiser requested assistance from Keppel Bay. The vessel was returning from Finlay’s Reef when it ran out of fuel. Yeppoon Rescue One responded with four volunteer crew members and towed the boat to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 1010.

Thursday 16 July: At 1023 assistance was requested by two adults for a 6m half cabin cruiser located at Great Keppel Island (Woppa). The vessel had become swamped and was beached at Fisherman’s Beach, requiring a tow off the sand and back to the mainland. Yeppoon Rescue One responded with four volunteer crew members, and recovered the vessel back to Rosslyn Bay Harbour public ramps, returning to base at 1220.

Public Service: Level up Program (see photos): On Monday 13 July ten participants and two supervisors were taken through the Safe Boating program accompanied with a tour of the facilities and equipment to generate an interest in the Maritime industry as a potential avenue for employment.

20/07/2026

A big shout out to Keppel Dive and everyone involved in the safe retrieval of two kayakers who were being blown out to sea from Leekes Beach after not being able to make headway in the strong winds. The call was initially made on Channel 16 by the yacht Sensation and while it was being acted on by Coast Guard Yeppoon, Keppel Dive who were in the area packed up their divers and went to their assistance and returned them safely. A great example of cooperation to keep everyone safe on the water.

Send a message to learn more

19/07/2026

SAFETY MESSAGE: Requesting assistance.

The Coast Guard service in Central Queensland operates with stand by volunteer crews that need to be called in if needed to assist vessels in distress. This means that there will always be a wait before we can be underway. The exception to this is that Coast Guard Yeppoon has crews at the Operations Centre on weekends which can respond quicker.

When requesting Coast Guard assistance, please have the following valuable information ready:

Primarily, your location, ideally with GPS coordinates:

Ensure that these are correct and that you are not looking at a saved location or a cursor location.

Ensure that your GPS unit is calibrated correctly - this can be done at the Rosslyn Bay Harbour boat ramp https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Gps-verification-marks

If you do not have a GPS unit you may be able to use your phone to obtain the coordinates - Emergency Plus App (it’s free), Compass App

Use landmarks if you do not have GPS or refer to your chart.

Nature of the problem and what service you are requesting e.g. tow, jump start, shadowing back to the harbour due to safety concerns.

Number of people on board - adults and children. Are there any injuries?

Vessel type, size, and weight for larger vessels

Vessel registration and/or Marine Assist membership number

Do you have a radio and/or a mobile phone on board? Give the mobile phone number.

If you are already registered with us as Marine Assist members, or you have logged your trip with us, the process is much faster as we simply need to look you up to gain all pre-existing information! Whilst awaiting rescue ensure that you are safely anchored, if possible, display your V Sheet, and monitor the security of that anchor during longer waits.

# Safetybyallmeans

Send a message to learn more