23/08/2026
What is happening at Coast Guard TIN CAN BAY, Winds of Change, you will see some bright new colours appearing at Norman Point and the market days...
QF17 Media Release: Your Questions Answered
What is the difference between the Coast Guard, Maritime Safety Queensland, Marine Rescue Queensland and Queensland Water Police?
Many people in our community see marine rescue vessels, government patrol boats and police vessels on Queensland waterways and understandably wonder who does what. This media release has been prepared by QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay to help explain the different roles of volunteer marine rescue, Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Water Police.
Coast Guard and Marine Rescue Queensland
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard has served boating communities for decades as a volunteer organisation providing on-water rescue operations, boating safety training, marine radio support and assistance to mariners. For many years, most local Coast Guard flotillas raised much of their own funding through raffles, donations and community support.
Queensland is now moving to a new model through Marine Rescue Queensland, a state-wide volunteer marine rescue service established under the Queensland Police Service. Marine Rescue Queensland brings together units from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland, with current marine rescue services maintained during the staged transition.
For flotillas that transition to Marine Rescue Queensland, the day-to-day purpose remains familiar: helping boaters in emergencies, assisting vessels in difficulty, providing radio communications support and promoting safer boating. The uniforms, logo and vessel colours may change, but the focus remains on assisting mariners when help is needed, whether during a serious marine incident or a tow back to the boat ramp after engine failure.
Maritime Safety Queensland
Maritime Safety Queensland is part of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Its role is to protect Queensland’s waterways and the people who use them by supporting safer, cleaner seas.
MSQ’s responsibilities include improving maritime safety through regulation and education, responding to marine pollution, supporting aids to navigation and vessel traffic services, and helping ensure vessels operate safely. MSQ is also involved in matters such as lifejacket requirements, boating safety compliance, moorings, anchoring issues and the removal or management of unsafe, derelict or abandoned vessels that may become hazards.
While MSQ may work with Coast Guard or Marine Rescue Queensland when the situation requires it, MSQ is not the same organisation as a local volunteer rescue flotilla. Its primary role is regulation, safety, environmental protection and waterway management.
Queensland Water Police
Queensland Water Police are the law-enforcement presence on the water. Their role includes policing Queensland waterways, assisting in search and rescue operations, responding to marine incidents and targeting unsafe or illegal boating behaviour.
Water Police may patrol busy boating areas, personal watercraft hotspots and other high-use waterways. They can respond to matters such as drink or drug driving on the water, speeding, failure to carry required safety equipment, lifejacket offences and other breaches of maritime law.
What This Means for QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay
QF17 Coast Guard Tin Can Bay is about helping mariners of all types through rescue assistance, towing support, safe boating training and marine radio communications. Our volunteers are not police officers, and we do not have authority to uphold maritime law in Queensland.
QF17 does not salvage vessels and does not conduct official mooring inspections. We may, however, observe vessels in local waters and report concerns where appropriate, particularly if a vessel appears to be at risk or could create a hazard.
In simple terms, volunteer marine rescue is here to assist mariners; Maritime Safety Queensland helps regulate and protect the waterways; and Queensland Water Police enforce the law on the water.
Volunteers Welcome
QF17 volunteers will be attending market days in July, and we look forward to speaking with community members interested in joining our team. Volunteer opportunities are available in both crew and radio positions.
If you are considering volunteering, please contact Karl Hempstead, QF17 Public Relations Officer, on 0427 769 504 or by email at [email protected].
Remember: safety in boating starts before you leave the ramp.
AUTHORED – Karl Hempstead – QF17 Public Relations
