Southport Rescue Joins State Service

Volunteer Marine Rescue Southport has officially joined Marine Rescue Queensland, becoming known as MRQ Southport East. The transition brings the long-serving Gold Coast unit into Queensland’s unified, state-wide volunteer marine rescue service.

The unit has supported recreational and commercial mariners since 1969, providing emergency assistance, boating education and other services on local waterways. Marine Rescue Queensland said the move would preserve the unit’s local knowledge, operational experience and community partnerships while strengthening its future capabilities.

MRQ Southport East Unit Commander Martin Walsh said the transition marked a new chapter for volunteers while maintaining the unit’s commitment to the Gold Coast community. MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff described the change as both a recognition of the unit’s legacy and an investment in the future of marine safety across the region.

Marine Rescue Queensland operates as part of the Queensland Police Service and provides marine search and rescue, assistance to vessels and people in difficulty, emergency-service support and maritime safety education. The broader transition to MRQ is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The Queensland Government-funded service provides free rescue assistance; boaters can call 131 MRQ for information, while emergencies should be reported to Triple Zero (000) or VHF Channel 16.