Coast Guard Rockhampton QF19

10/05/2026

Saturday 2 May - QF19 conducted a training exercise above the barrage to test their newly acquired Hoverark HX3 remote control rescue buoy.

This new acquisition to the flotilla will provide a means to access boats or people who are stranded in very shallow water, without risking the rescue vessel running aground. There have been occasions in the past where the crew has had to wait for the tide to rise sufficiently before the rescue could be affected.

This device adds yet another level of safety for the local boating community.

02/04/2026

📢 🚧 𝗧𝗠𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 - 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘇𝗿𝗼𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹

Transport and Main Roads Queensland advises works will commence from Tuesday 7 April to construct a temporary bridge work platform for the third river crossing for the Rockhampton Ring Road approximately 4.5 kilometres upstream of the Fitzroy River Barrage.

The works - between Pink Lily and Parkhurst - will require the implementation of a 250 metre exclusion zone in two stages.

🚧 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟭 - 𝟳 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟮 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 - a 50 metre navigation channel will remain open on the Parkhurst side of the river for continued public access.

🚧 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟮 - 𝟭𝟯 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘁𝗼 𝟯𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 - vessels are prohibited from anchoring, berthing, mooring, operating or conducting any activity that may endanger marine safety.

The exclusion zone will be clearly marked with yellow buoys and flashing lights - river users are requested to follow all signage and markers.

For further information and to review the Frequently Asked Questions please visit - https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/rockhamptonringroad

31/03/2026

Help us identify the owner of this vessel!

Maritime Safety Queensland is seeking assistance from the boating community to help identify the owner of this vessel.

The vessel KAPAI IV099Q has been located in the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton. There are concerns regarding its seaworthiness, which may pose a risk to navigational safety and the environment.

Vessel details:
◾ Vessel name: KAPAI IV099Q
◾ Location: Fitzroy River, Rockhampton
◾ Registration: Unregistered
◾ Condition: Anchored (seaworthiness concerns)

If this vessel looks familiar, the Rockhampton boating community may be able to help.

If you have information about the owner, please contact Maritime Safety Queensland:
📧 gladstone.maritime@msq.qld.gov.au
📞 (07) 4971 5200

If the owner cannot be identified, the vessel may be managed under abandoned property provisions.

Vessel owners are responsible for maintaining their vessels and ensuring they do not pose a safety or pollution risk.

Please share this with the Rockhampton boating community to help us find the owner.

15/03/2026

FOR SALE

Island Inflatables 2.3m Aluminium Base RIGID INFLATABLE BOAT Australian Designed Quality Build, Thermo Welded Seams.

Ultima 3hp electric outboard with selectable 55lbs and 110lbs thrust with integrated 30 AMP Lithium Battery. Shaft length 540mm. Outboard capable of pushing a 7m vessel.

Spare 30 AMP battery with charger

Purchased Sept 2021 - 4.5 years old in excellent condition with very little use and well maintained.

Highly recommended tender package

Price : $4000.00 ono

12/03/2026

*This advice is no longer current, please refer to our most recent post.

🟡 ADVICE
Issued: 0900 HRS - 12 March 2026

Maritime Safety Queensland advises:
to PREPARE YOUR VESSEL ahead of the anticipated high river flow.

Watch zone: Fitzroy River and Casuarina Creek.

In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

• Significant rainfall has been recorded across the catchment
• Upstream river data shows increasing water flows
• Water flow is likely to increase in the navigable waters of the river.
• Floating debris and vegetation may already be present. This is anticipated to increase in volume with the flow of water coming down from upper reaches of the river system.

Mariners are advised:
• Prepare to remove or secure your vessel
• If choosing to move your vessel, be aware of debris fouling engine propellers or clogging water intakes, which may render your vessel a dead ship and loss of propulsion or steerage may result
• Vessels owners on moorings should be aware of apparatus integrity
• Mooring lines are to be doubled with secondary lines to alternative cleats
• Check boat cleats for integrity, ensure lines are made fast to substantial boat parts, for example mast steps, winches and so on, bearing in mind cleats are known to have been torn out of decks
• Have sufficient line to secure your vessel and position spare fenders and lines
• Do not use chain to secure the vessel
• Ensure ropes and other synthetic fibres are in good order and are capable of withstanding high loads, lines to be adjustable from on board
• Keep storm anchors and spare warps ready at hand but well secured to prevent them creating a potential hazard such as fouling propellers in the event you must move the vessel
• Monitor the weather forecasts
• Make sure you comply with all directions issued by the Regional Harbour Master or his/her delegates.

For more information:
• Maintain a listening watch on VHF 16
• Incident updates are available on the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard: www.qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au/
• Monitor marine conditions with the BOM at www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
• Follow your local council disaster dashboard
• The Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan is available on the Maritime Safety Queensland website:
www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/maritime-safety-extreme-weather-contingency-plans

09/02/2026

Coast Guard Rockhampton (QF19) was recently a recipient of a Rockhampton Regional Council Community Assistance Program grant.

The proceeds of this grant have allowed us to replace some internal doors at our Operations Centre. These doors had become badly water damaged over the years, due to inundation of the centre during several major floods of the Fitzroy River.

These new solid core doors will hold up a bit better the next time our Operations Centre gets a little damp when the river comes to visit.

Rockhampton Regional Council

06/02/2026

18/01/2026

ATTENTION MARINERS:
ROCKHAMPTON PILOTAGE AREA

Issued: 1600hrs, 18 January 2026

Next update: As the situation changes.

Regional Harbour Master (Gladstone) - Temporary Closure of the Fitzroy River and Port Alma, Rockhampton Pilotage Area.

Closure Area:
- The ROCKHAMPTON PILOTAGE AREA including the FITZROY RIVER AND PORT ALMA

The Regional Harbour Master (Gladstone) considers it necessary to ensure safety to temporarily close part of the ROCKHAMPTON PILOTAGE AREA including the FITZROY RIVER AND PORT ALMA (Closure Area) due to high river water flow and riverine flooding.

In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

What are we expecting?
- Conditions are now hazardous to mariners
- Large quantities of floating debris are expected to flow downstream, with existing debris being experienced.
- BE AWARE - Emergency Service vessels may not be able to assist due to the dangerous conditions and or significant delays in help may be experienced due to a high volume of emergent jobs.

A person must not, without the Harbour Master's permission:
- Cause a ship to enter, leave or navigate in the Closure Area, unless the person has a reasonable excuse; or
- Anchor, berth or moor a ship in the area unless the person has a reasonable excuse

Exempt vessels: Emergency service and Maritime Safety Queensland vessels are excluded from this closure.

Failure to comply with the temporary closure carries a maximum penalty of $33,380 for an individual, or $166,900 for a corporation pursuant to section 97 of the Act.

Advice
- It is too late to consider the safety of the vessel.
- Personal safety is the priority, mariners are directed to stay off the water.
- Response action should already have been taken
- If its flooded, forget it.

For more information:
- Follow your local council disaster dashboard here https://emergency.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au
- Follow the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard here https://qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au and follow MSQ on social media
- Check the weather forecasts here http://www.bom.qld.gov.au/qld/
- Maintain a listening watch on VHF 16

18/11/2025

28/06/2025

This mornings flotilla and bi-annual meetings saw 4 new full members joining the team at QF19.

2 of our members, Martin and Steve were recognised for their fantastic volunteering efforts, both receiving recognition of 10 years with Coast Guard.

And Brian was presented with the National Medal for 15 years service.

And to top of the morning our Flotilla elections saw Mike Oo’Dell sworn in as Flotilla Commander, and Steve Rye sworn in as Deputy Flotilla Commander.

Well done to all!

16/04/2025

What a great turn out today! Thanks to those that paid us a visit! Coast Guard Rockhampton, Maritime Safety Qld and Water Police will be back at the North Rockhampton boat ramp again tomorrow morning (Thursday 17th April) from 7am

MSQ free boat and safety gear check at the North Side boat ramp in Rockhampton.
Come along Thursday 17 April between 7-2 to make sure you are prepared for boating on the Easter holidays. Go into the draw to win one of two inflatable lifejackets and discuss the new lifejackets rules. Visit the Coast Guard stall and vessel.
All inspections will be educational.