Cyclones, storms and floods – be prepared and stay safe in extreme weather events

Maritime Safety Queensland has prepared an Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan to help you plan now for what you will do if a warning is issued. The plan includes an overarching document containing critical information for all areas and separate appendices for each port or waterway area, containing relevant local information.

For more information, you can:

New 6-knot speed limit for the Burrum River Weir 1

We have moved to address concerns about safety on the Burrum River by introducing a 6-knot speed limit for boating at its Weir No.1

Learn more about the new speed limit at Burrum River Weir 1

New lifejacket laws

We're improving on-water safety by changing our lifejacket laws.

Starting on 1 December 2024, you must wear a lifejacket during high-risk boating activities.

We will be focusing on education, with enforcement delayed until 1 July 2025. Additionally, by 1 September 2025, all lifejackets must meet the current Australian Standard AS 4758.

Learn more about the new lifejacket laws.

New plan for boating on the Noosa waterways

We are committed to easing congestion on the Noosa River. Based on the feedback from our community consultation we are delivering staged improvements including:

Our priority is to educate and communicate with the community while we implement the Noosa River vessel waterway management plan.

Learn more about the Noosa waterways safety improvements.

Download the Noosa River Public Consultation Results. 

Double Island Point revised speed zone

6-knot speed limit zone has been extended to include the western parts of the lagoon at Double Island Point lagoon area on the Fraser Coast.

Learn more about the Double Island Point revised speed zone.

Maritime aids to navigation in the Torres Strait

The completion of Maritime Safety Queensland's $3.9 million project to enhance the maritime aids to navigation (AtoN) network in the Torres Strait is a significant milestone, ensuring improved navigational assistance for mariners and communities in this vital waterway. The upgrades have addressed the need for more resilient AtoN and the installation of new aids in critical locations, based on extensive consultations with waterway users, stakeholders, and traditional landowners.

This substantive initiative commenced AtoN upgrades in late 2023 and culminated with the installation of the last beacon in December 2024, accommodating delays attributed to seasonal weather patterns. The upgrades involved replacing existing marine buoys with larger ones better suited to the dynamic sea conditions in the Torres Strait region.

Furthermore, the project incorporated the introduction of new navigational aids, such as:

  • landfall lights at Kubin and Mer Island
  • additional buoys enhancing the channel demarcations at Boigu and Saibai Islands
  • buoys indicating offshore shoals by Boigu and Saibai Islands
  • buoys highlighting shoal dangers along the course to Hammond, Thursday, and Entrance Islands including Brady Bank near Seisia
  • a buoy designating the entryway to Injinoo's boat ramp
  • 3 buoys denoting the southern pathway to Badu Island
  • 3 beacons marking the reef entry point at St Pauls
  • new beacons at Buru (Turnagain) Island and Numar Reef, marking established transit paths.

The new and upgraded AtoN are part of MSQ’s commitment to maritime safety and efficient navigation.

For mariners seeking detailed information on each of the new installations, it is advised to consult Maritime Safety Queensland's Notice to Mariners. This documentation will provide specifics on the AtoN installations, ensuring that all maritime operators are fully informed of the updated navigational network available in the Torres Strait.

 

Backing Queensland Maritime Jobs Initiative

The Queensland Government is implementing its Backing Queensland Maritime Jobs Grant Programs.

Read more about the initiative. 

Port by the water

War on Wrecks

As at 31 March 2025, there are 1,676 fewer derelicts in Queensland waters because of Maritime Safety Queensland's War on Wrecks program. With around 571 additional vessels identified either as derelict or at risk of becoming derelict, we will continue to remove these rotting, unseaworthy and derelict vessels from our bays, rivers, and creeks.

Video transcript

Queensland is world-renowned for its beautiful waterways.

From the tip of Cape York to the Gold Coast, from the Great Barrier Reef through to our rivers and creeks, there's nowhere better to dive, fish or simply cruise.

In 2018, the Queensland Government committed $20 million over four years to the War on Wrecks program to remove derelict vessels and other hazards to help make these waterways pristine and safe.

A further $15 million for three years was committed in the 2022-23 budget, building on the success of the initial four-year program.

Maritime Safety Queensland, along with their partner agencies, are cleaning up Queensland.

And we need your help on the job by identifying existing vessels that have become waterway hazards as well as preventing the further abandonment of boats.

Because of the War on Wrecks, in the four years to June 2022, there's 1026 fewer derelict vessels in our waterways.

Ranging from sunken tinnies to barges—some barely recognisable—we've been making your waterways safer and cleaner.

In the 2021-22 financial year alone, the program has been responsible for the removal of 180 hazards from our bays, creeks and islands.

We have another 150 vessels on our to do list.

In May the program reached a major milestone with the removal of its 1,000th wreck – the Sonda from Cabbage Tree Creek.

Regions:

Every part of Queensland has benefitted from the program.

[Cairns] In Cairns, whether you enjoy snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef or boating in tropical waters, there's now 134 less wrecks to detract from the region's beauty, and we're monitoring another 25.

[Townsville] If you're cruising around Magnetic Island or venturing out to the Hinchinbrook Channel, there are 86 fewer wrecks across the beaches and coastal areas around Townsville, making it safer, with another 5 being monitored.

[Mackay/Whitsunday] In Mackay and Whitsunday, known for its freshwater dams and hidden fishing spots, we are protecting the environment with 73 fewer derelicts, and we are managing 9 more wrecks.

[Gladstone] Think coral cays, rivers and tropical islands. Unfortunately abandoned vessels have caused issues for the beaches and ports in the Gladstone region. Since July 2018, the clean-up in this region means 123 fewer abandoned, and we have another 26 on our radar.

[Brisbane]Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast; we want these areas to be known as home to a treasure trove of sandy stretches, not navigation and pollution hazards. To date, the War on Wrecks program has been responsible for a decrease of 610 derelict vessels to improve the environment, and another 85 are being monitored by the team.

Now, we want you on board to help develop a whole-of-life approach towards responsible boat ownership, all the way through from manufacture to responsible disposal. We are looking at ways to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy Queensland's marine environment and invite you to work with us so we can all continue to enjoy safer, cleaner seas.

Watch for regional forums in 2023. To join the conversation, search War on Wrecks.

 

Find out more about the War on Wrecks.

Maritime Minutes

Do you know which navigation lights you need for your powered vessel? Watch our video to find out.

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