More trips were recorded for the Noosa Coast Guard during the school holidays, but crews say behaviour on the water was generally good.
This may have been in part due to more enforcement action by MSQ, Fisheries and Water Police.
The bar and river mouth were challenging for a number of boaties, with parts of the main river channel now shallow and very narrow making navigating in and out of the bar hazardous, as witnessed by a number of assists the Coast Guard carried out in and around the bar.
Should the current conditions remain over the Christmas holiday period, it will be an extremely busy time for Coast Guard.
During the month of September there were 15 requests for assistance.
Flotilla Commander Lindsay Hall said two of these involved boats rolling over on the Noosa Bar.
In the first rollover incident, a RIB rolled over and while a Coast Guard crew were activated, a member of the boating public managed to tow the RIB to safety.
In the second incident a 4.5m Quintrex Fish-About overturned on the bar. Luckily, the passenger, a youth, was wearing a life jacket, as he ended up under the vessel briefly.
The adult on board was not wearing a life jacket. The assist was between the second and third bar, with waves battering our vessel as the crew took the upturned vessel in tow. The vessel was eventually righted and towed to Munna Point. The assist was described as a difficult assist.
The crews were also mobilised for several yachts that ran aground crossing the bar. In one incident a 28ft sail vessel grounded on sand near Doggy Beach on the way out. It eventually made it across the bar with Coast Guard assistance.
Mr Hall said the new Rotary Rescue build has started, with the hull plates now finished, and work has begun on the fitting out of the boat.
“We are expecting the vessel to join us prior to Christmas 2023,“ he said.
The build for the new Bendigo Rescue has been approved and construction is expected to start in October, for delivery early 2024.
The replacement for the John Waddams will take approximately 12 months to construct as there are time delays in the supply of gear boxes.
This vessel is being supplied to Coast Guard Noosa under the Queensland Government’s Marine Rescue Queensland programme.
“During the month we conducted a successful fundraising luncheon at Frenchie’s Restaurant,“ Mr Hall said.
“The money raised is being put toward the electronic fit out of the new Rotary Rescue. A big thanks to all those who attended.“
Legislation relating to the establishment of MRQ is not expected until June 2024, however planning for its introduction is well underway with visits by MRQ personnel and audits currently being undertaken.
“We are grateful to our small team of sponsors for their support of our service to the community and thank you for your ongoing support,“ Mr Hall said.
For more information on what is happening in Coast Guard Noosa, look at our Facebook site at facebook.com/coastguardnoosaQF5
