Marine Rescue Queensland begins statewide transition of volunteer units

Volunteer marine rescue units in Queensland are transitioning from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) to Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) as part of a statewide initiative to create a single, integrated marine rescue service.

In Southport, the local service is becoming MRQ Southport West. The transition maintains the same volunteer crews who have served the Gold Coast waterways, including the Broadwater and Seaway, since the unit's origins in the 1960s.

Similarly, the Brisbane Flotilla is transitioning to MRQ Manly. This change marks the end of over 50 years of service under the AVCGA banner for these specific units. While branding and uniforms are changing, the volunteers will remain stationed at their local bases to provide emergency response, safety patrols, and assistance for vessels in distress.