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Coast Guard Redcliffe is preparing to celebrate 53 years of volunteer marine rescue on Moreton Bay, inviting local families to explore its Scarborough base and discover the history of a service about to enter a new chapter under Marine Rescue Queensland.
The Community and Family Day will take place on Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., ahead of the flotilla’s planned transition in November. The celebration will include rescue vessel demonstrations, guided tours, a historical exhibition and the launch of a book documenting more than five decades of service.
A boating tragedy that brought Redcliffe volunteers together
Coast Guard Redcliffe traces its beginnings to a fatal boating accident off Scarborough during the Easter holidays of 1973. The tragedy prompted local residents to consider establishing a dedicated marine rescue organisation, drawing on Coast Guard services already operating elsewhere in Queensland.
The first official meeting was held at the Scarborough Marine Centre on 30 July 1973, with G. Sorley elected as the inaugural flotilla leader. The newly formed organisation began with limited resources, operating from a caravan before acquiring its own rescue vessel.
Its first vessel, a Nova 1700 powered by a 115-horsepower motor, cost $3,600 and was officially launched in December 1976. A permanent base and operations centre followed in May 1983, replacing the temporary facilities that had supported the volunteers during their first decade.
The flotilla also built its own rescue vessel in the early 1990s. Members contributed 3,978 hours of voluntary labour to construct a Hydrofield boat, which was launched in July 1992.
The milestones are recorded in the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard’s official history.
Five decades of rescues and volunteers remembered
Photographs, rescue accounts and maritime memorabilia will form part of a historical exhibition covering Coast Guard Redcliffe’s development from 1973 to 2026.
The exhibition will open alongside the commemorative book Guardians of the Bay: A History of Coast Guard Redcliffe 1973–2026, documenting the vessels, volunteers and events that have shaped the organisation.
Founding members, former volunteers and current crews are expected to attend the celebration, including Roy King, whom organisers identify as an active volunteer with 53 years of service.
QF3 Commander Ray Pearce will address the gathering and reflect on the flotilla’s history and contribution to the community. The anniversary will also recognise the families and supporters who have helped sustain the volunteer organisation across generations.
Scarborough base opens for rescue vessel tours
Visitors will have an opportunity to see parts of Coast Guard Redcliffe’s operations that are normally associated with emergency responses on Moreton Bay.
Base and rescue vessel tours are scheduled from 12:40 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., offering access to operational equipment, the radio room and rescue facilities. Volunteers will be available to explain their work and share experiences from their time with the organisation.
An on-water parade and rescue vessel demonstrations are planned for 1:00 p.m., giving spectators a chance to watch the crews manoeuvre their vessels on Moreton Bay.
A rescue helicopter demonstration is also being considered for 1:30 p.m., although organisers have advised that its appearance will depend on availability.
The official programme begins at 12:15 p.m., followed by the historical exhibition and book launch at 12:30 p.m.
Marine rescue continues under a new organisation
Coast Guard Redcliffe’s anniversary comes as Queensland’s volunteer marine rescue network undergoes a major restructure.
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Marine Rescue Queensland reached an agreement in May 2026 for all 21 Coast Guard flotillas operating across the state to progressively join the unified service.
The arrangement is designed to bring marine rescue operations under a single, government-funded organisation while retaining volunteer participation and local rescue expertise.
Redcliffe’s transition is expected in November, according to the anniversary organisers, although an exact commencement date has not been announced in the official material reviewed.
Several Coast Guard flotillas have already completed the change, including Redland Bay and Brisbane’s Manly-based unit. The latter became MRQ Manly on 19 September 2026, with its existing volunteer crews continuing to operate from their local base.
Marine Rescue Queensland has identified continuity of rescue services, volunteer support and local engagement as priorities throughout the transition.
Redcliffe families invited to anniversary celebration
The Community and Family Day will be held at the Coast Guard Redcliffe base on Thurecht Parade, Scarborough, on Sunday, 25 October, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Residents, boating families and former volunteers are invited to attend, view the historical displays, meet rescue crews and explore the vessels that serve the Moreton Bay community.
The exhibition and commemorative book will mark the flotilla’s 53 years under the Coast Guard name as its volunteers prepare to continue their work within Marine Rescue Queensland.
Published 19-Oct-2026
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