Noosa Coast Guard flotilla QF5 has marked another big year of service on local waters, responding to hundreds of calls for help.
The volunteer-based flotilla, which operates across the Noosa River and coastal waters, is made up of 104 members spread across five crews — four boat crews and one radio crew — providing around-the-clock assistance to recreational boaters and the wider community.
Over the past year, QF5 volunteers contributed a remarkable 28,719 hours of service, reflecting the scale of demand on the Coast Guard during peak boating seasons and holiday periods.
Call volumes remained high, with the radio room handling 32,750 phone and radio calls across the year, ranging from routine log-ons and log-offs to emergency situations requiring immediate response.
On the water, QF5 conducted 203 assists, including 11 police activations, six medical responses and 17 community service activations, highlighting the flotilla’s close working relationship with emergency services and its vital role in marine safety.
Fuel usage also reflected the operational workload, with around 18,000 litres used to keep rescue vessels on the water and ready to respond.
QF5 Flotilla Commander Mr Lindsay Hall, reflected on the year’s output and paid tribute to the volunteers.
“December, January and Easter are our busiest times,” he said. “A lot of our assists are for boat engines that don’t start. Sometimes people forget to service their engines and batteries.”
QF5 only receives $12,000 annually from the State Government. The rest of the funding to fuel the flotilla and keep it in service comes from sponsorships, including Bendigo Bank, and assistance from clubs like Noosa Rotary and fundraising.
The members of QF5 are all volunteers, who even pay for their own uniforms.
One of their largest jobs was towing a 72 tonne dive boat, which had stalled at Double Island Point because of fuel contamination. It was towed all the way to Point Arkwright.
Commander Hall said about 60 per cent of their assists were conducted in the rivers and 40 per cent in the ocean.
He said there were also a large number of assists for jet ski riders, who underestimated the depth of the river, with their jets often malfunctioning due to sand intake.
QF5 continues to encourage safer boating through its Marine Assist membership program, with 229 registered members. These boaters have their details pre-registered with the Coast Guard, allowing for quicker and more efficient logging-on and response times if assistance is required.
Training remains a cornerstone of the flotilla’s operations, with volunteers completing 155 certified training courses over the year to maintain high standards across navigation, radio operations, first aid and rescue procedures.
Since its establishment, Noosa Coast Guard has played a critical role in improving marine safety on local waterways, relying entirely on volunteers and community support to continue its operations.
With boating activity expected to remain strong across the region, QF5 says it remains committed to keeping Noosa’s waters safe for locals and visitors alike.
