Coast Guard Yorkeys plan
CAIRNS Coast Guard could base a small rescue vessel at Yorkeys Knob to help cover the Douglas Shire.
Mossman Port Douglas Coast Guard QF10 has been locked out of its Dickson Inlet base after local volunteers left the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association to join Marine Rescue Queensland.
Douglas boaties’ safety is in the hands of Cairns QF9, which has recently lost two skippers and will now cover waters north to Cape Tribulation and south to Deeral.
QF9 Commander Terry Spurrier floated the idea of basing the boat at Yorkeys Knob to cut the transit time to reach a boat and a crew needing rescue.
He said the Coast Guard would make all efforts to cover the boating public.
“It hasn’t affected us that much,” he said.
“I don’t believe their radio station is used during the week, so we are always covering the radio anyway. It has not made a major difference really, other than if we do get a call, we are going to have to answer that.”
The Coast Guard previously covered north to the Low Isles.
QF16 Cooktown will cover south to Cape Tribulation.
The Cairns Coast Guard has about 10 volunteers but recently lost two skippers and is seeking more.
Mr Spurrier said it was often difficult to get a crew together on weekdays, but he did not believe many issues would arise in an emergency.
“If it is a life or death mayday situation, usually the police activate the helicopter, or if the weather is not good enough they will ask us to assist,” he said.
The AVCG, which arrived in Cairns in 1971 to promote safety in small craft, does not permit concurrent memberships in two marine safety and rescue organisations.