MRIP - Monthly Newsletter February 2023

MRIP Director's Message

The Marine Rescue Implementation Program (MRIP) has hit the ground running in 2023, maintaining the momentum from 2022.

Here is a snapshot of what to expect from the Program in 2023:

• Delivery of the first vessel under the Vessel Replacement Initiative to VMR Waibene (Thursday Island), in the first half of this year with more vessels delivered later this year.
• MRIP transition to QPS as part of Reform Implementation Taskforce.
• Program will move to ‘Transition Stage’ in second half of 2023.
• Increasing volunteer engagement around operational readiness, training, branding, recruitment, volunteer wellbeing and facilities.

Over the next few months Program team members will be on the ground visiting marine rescue units across the state working with volunteers locally to understand individual units.

The MRIP visited the Torres Strait in late January. This visit was to assist with enhancing marine rescue capability, build on existing local relationships and partnerships in the community and government agencies at all levels, and continue Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) transition planning.

The Program came away with a greater understanding of operations in the Torres Strait in preparation for the delivery of the new vessel and ahead of future MRQ transition.

The first instalment of Direct Relief Support Grants has been delivered to Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ) Squadrons and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) Flotillas and second instalments are expected to be disbursed before the end of the financial year.

The Program continues to work closely with the Reform Implementation Taskforce (RIT) ahead of MRIP’s transition to the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

The Marine Rescue Queensland Implementation Working Group (MRQIWG) will continue to meet this year and provide advice on the planning and delivery of MRQ with the first meeting for 2023 being held on 1 March.

As always stay-up-to-date on the Program by subscribing here and join the Queensland Marine Rescue Volunteers Facebook Group.

Watch video message

Matthew Thompson
Director, Marine Rescue Implementation Program

Reform Implementation Taskforce update

Planning work continues with the MRIP’s transition to QPS, as announced in October 2022. Recently, the MRIP met with the RIT and key representatives from QPS.

A lot of work remains to be completed in relation to the transition. Feedback from both parties is that the Program is well established, demonstrates good delivery disciplines and continues to achieve its milestones. QFES will continue to support the Program to deliver the Government’s commitment to the marine rescue sector until the Program’s transition to QPS is complete.

The Program’s transition to QPS does not impact the timing for establishing MRQ and marine rescue units’ transition to MRQ; its purpose of developing and standing up the future MRQ services remains unchanged and fully supported.

The Reform Implementation Taskforce have provided a factsheet for marine rescue volunteers. 
It can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Rapid Download

More vessels underway

In 2023, more vessels will be moving out of procurement and into build stage, with additional vessels going out to market for response.

VMR Waibene (Thursday Island) vessel remains on track for delivery mid-2023, and a second vessel build is also underway for a unit in South-East Queensland. A further six vessels have moved out of procurement with contracts to be awarded for six 6-8 metre vessels, while ‘Invitations to Offer’ have closed for three 10-12 metres vessels and assessments of offers is underway.

Marine rescue units are consulted throughout the vessel build with a dedicated Vessel Replacement Team within the MRIP. The consultation with units and broader volunteer base has enabled the development of a series of standard vessel specifications. Feedback from the market (e.g., vessel manufacturers, and associated suppliers) has been positive – enabling a more effective and commercial procurement process.

Top right and top bottom photo: VMR Thursday Island members and MRIP Vessel Replacement team inspecting VMR Thursday Island vessel build.

Meet the team

Introducing two members of the Marine Rescue Implementation team – Leslie Sheremeta and Carmen Dyce.

Leslie is the Workplace Health and Safety Lead on the Program and 25 years’ experience in workplace health and safety in local government and maritime sectors. Over the next few months Leslie’s focus will be gaining a current state understanding of marine rescue units’ workplace health and safety procedures.

Carmen’s role on the Program is the Recruitment and Sustainment Specialist and has over 15 years’ experience within the commercial, education and not-for-profit sector. Carmen’s focus will be on volunteer recruitment and sustainment and health and well-being of volunteers as well as supporting the transition of marine rescue volunteers to MRQ.

Top left photo: Leslie Sheremeta, Workplace Health and Safety Lead
Bottom right photo: Carmen Dyce, Recruitment and Sustainment Specialist

Facilities Equipment and Infrastructure Readiness visits underway

The Facilities, Equipment, and Infrastructure Readiness visits are underway.

These visits will gather current state information about facilities and infrastructure for all VMRAQ and AVCGA units.

This is information gathering only and does not impact on a unit’s current operations. The team is also keen to learn about each unit current facilities and health and safety practices.

Information provided during these visits will assist the development of the MRQ Transition Plan and will help identify any maintenance or repairs needed for a unit’s transition to occur.  

The visits are also an opportunity to learn about each unit’s community engagement, local recruitment strategies and challenges, team culture, and volunteer support structures.

The team has visited 13 of 47 marine rescue units across both VMRAQ and AVCGA and visits will be continuing through March. For further information, please contact VMRAQ, AVCGA or the MRIP.

Top left photo: QF 19 Rockhampton participates in Facilities and Infrastructure Readiness

Program visit to Torres Strait

In late January, MRIP team members Jade Keogh, Craig Lunn and Steve Creevey travelled to the Torres Strait to meet with marine rescue volunteers and other key Government agencies and community leaders.

The aim of the visit was to meet and expand the support network among marine rescue volunteers, government agencies and community members and MRIP.  The team were also able to survey MRQ’s future operations and capability which was an exciting prospect given the first vessel of the Program will be delivered to Waibene (Thursday Island).

Of the many connections made the team met with local representatives from Maritime Safety Queensland, Defence, Water Police, Torres Strait Council, QBuild and Waibene, Moa Island and Masig Island elders. It was a real privilege for the team to learn more about the region, its history and the challenges the community faces.

Marine rescue capability is vital in the Torres Strait. Boats and water vessels are the primary method of transport between islands; and the Torres Strait, accounts for a significant proportion of search and rescue activities in Australian waters. Improving marine rescue capability in the Torres Strait has a direct impact on the community’s way of life and will result in more preventative actions and lives saved at sea.

Work continues within the Program, in collaboration with marine rescue volunteers in Torres Strait in establishing an improved operations and capability ahead of the new vessel’s delivery (2023) and future transition to MRQ (2024).


Above left and bottom photos: MRIP team meet with VMR volunteers across the Torres Strait.

Building MRQ’s brand and identity

Exciting work will shortly commence on building MRQ’s branding and identity.  Using last year’s survey on logo/emblem as an input – the Program has evaluated its next steps in listening to the feedback through survey and in consultation with six of the sub-working groups.

A creative agency who specialises in developing enduring and iconic Queensland brands has been engaged by the MRIP to guide it, sector volunteers, and various stakeholders through a considered process to develop – among a series of things - MRQ’s identity, branding and style guides. The latter will inform both logo and uniform discussions.

The objective – to represent and distinguish MRQ as a Queensland-wide Marine Rescue Service – from border to border and every coastal waterway in between.

Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved, share your thoughts, and help shape the identity of MRQ through the sub-working groups.

To stay up to date on the Disaster and Emergency Services Reform, subscribe to our newsletter, read our myth busters or visit our website.

Last updated:

9 June 2023