The release of Coast Guard Noosa’s January report showed almost a doubling of activity for the volunteer organisation from previous months when they responded to 4131 radio calls, 747 recorded trips, 265 phone calls, 90 activations, 20 assists and 853 radio volunteer hours.
“The strong wind and tides during December gave way to more conducive boating conditions, however, the channel out over the Noosa Bar continued to be a concern as it required vessels to travel close to the beach on the Noosa North Shore,“ Flotilla Commander Ian Hutchings said.
“Inexperienced boaties needed to exercise extreme caution. A new channel started to appear in the centre of the bar, however, it is too early to see if it will be suitable.“
During the month the Coast Guard also provided safety coverage to the Noosa Outriggers Regatta and responded to several calls for assistance from Water Police.
Its marine assists included returning a 4.8m runabout to Tewantin boat ramp with a broken throttle and going to the aid of a broken down tinnie on Noosa North shore sandbank and a 5m runabout with a flat battery in the river.
They went to the aid of four separate broken down jet skis on Noosa Bar, responded to an EPIRB activated 30 nautical miles offshore and brought back a crewman, and they re-anchored a 45 foot catamaran that had come adrift on Hilton Esplanade.
Coast Guard volunteers joined in the search for a missing swimmer along Teewah to Cooloola beaches but he was not located. They joined water police in a separate search for a woman missing off Coolum Beach who was found.
The Coast Guard is in need of replacement vessels for two of its rescue craft after a marine surveyor report on its vessel, Rotary Rescue, advised it would not pass its next annual survey.
Commander Hutchings said the organisation had decided to sell the vessel as soon as possible and test the market for a replacement.
A contract will go out shortly on a replacement for its vessel, John Waddams, with a new boat expected early in 2024.
