Who’s Who in 2022, Community Groups: Redcliffe Coast Guard

Volunteers from the Redcliffe Coast have saved countless lives in 2022, assisting people who find themselves in trouble on the bay, as well as helping water police during search and rescue operations.

Examples include when the team were called in to help the water police find a missing wind surfer off the coast of Scarborough in March, as well as the rescue of two people who were found on the overturned hull of a catamaran in November, after intercepting their emergency distress call.

About Redcliffe Coast Guard

The Redcliffe Coast Guard is Moreton Bay’s “Guardians of the Bay”, providing marine search and rescue operations to people who find themselves in distress on the water and surrounding islands.

The Redcliffe Coast Guard was formed in 1973 and consists of more than 100 people from all walks of life.

In a typical week, volunteers will perform marine search and rescue in their distinct yellow vessels and are often called out by the water police to look out for anything – from dogs that have fallen overboard to missing fisherman.

They also monitor the departure and return of vessels that log on with them by radio, telephone and online.

This includes checking in with the vessels if they do not return on time and informing the water police if they know a boat is missing.

One of their core activities is running marine assist service which is there for people who find themselves needing assistance. More than 1500 subscribers use this service, which is likened to roadside assistance on land.

The Redcliffe Coast Guard is comprised entirely of volunteers and operate under state emergency legislation.

As such, their members are not paid, and their operational and capital costs rely on sponsorships from various organisations, grants from the government, and the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

The Redcliffe Coast Guard also receives donations from the public, including ongoing donations from major local sponsors Freightplus, the Redcliffe RSL and the Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club.

In addition, volunteers are also responsible for their own fundraising activities, such as firing up the barbecue and cooking sausage sizzles in the region.

Money raised is used to pay for fuel, boat maintenance and other running costs.

The roles of their members are varied and include rescue boat skippers and crew, marine radio operations, education, administration, maintenance, fundraising and public relations.

People who are interested in joining the Redcliffe Coast Guard are required to undergo extensive training in seamanship, survival at sea, basic first aid and radio operations.

Much of this training is nationally recognised.