Volunteer members from MRQ Jacobs Well, MRQ North Stradbroke and MRQ Currumbin will set sail for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the Gold Coast from 22-25 May, introducing the new marine service to the anticipated 43,000 attendees.
MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff said that MRQ staff and volunteers were excited to be one of the more than 330 exhibitors participating in the 36th annual boat show.
“Since commencing operation in June 2024, MRQ has been expanding our presence in the southeast corner and this is our first opportunity to mix and mingle with boating enthusiasts from across the region,” he said.
“MRQ provides marine assistance to people or vessels in difficulty, assists in search and rescue operations and emergency service activities, and supports communities during events and natural disasters.
“We’re enthusiastic about sharing information about how we provide assistance as well as raising awareness of the importance of safety on the water with the boating community.”
Chief Officer Wulff said that there would also be opportunities for visitors to the MRQ stand to learn more about volunteering with the service.
“We’re always looking for new members to join our ranks, so if you want to become part of a vital team who keeps people safe on our waterways, stop by our stand to chat about volunteer opportunities and the many benefits we provide to our members.”
MRQ has been steadily growing since mid-2024 and is almost halfway through transitioning units from Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard into the service.
By the end of June 2025, there will be an expected 14 MRQ units and almost 600 volunteers across the state, with another 33 units and 2,100 volunteers to follow by the end of 2025.
MRQ’s newest rescue vessel – SP21 – will be one of the 760 boats on display at the show.
SP21 is a 9m NoosaCat rescue catamaran and is becoming one of the most used rescue vessels in QLD. It is equipped with state-of-the-art search and rescue equipment, FLIR capacity which provides thermal imagining with extreme detail, and TZ Fleet which assists with fleet tracking and navigation.
“As experienced and keen boaties, we’re looking forward to visitors coming to explore the newest addition to our fleet and learning about the technology we use during activations,” Chief Officer Wulff said.
“Whether you have a jet ski, a tinny, a catamaran, or a yacht, you never know when you’ll run into trouble and need assistance out on the water.
But if you need assistance, we’re rescue ready.”
Look out for the MRQ vessel and crews on Marina D Pier throughout the boat show.
