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:

stay informed using the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard
monitor the weather conditions via the Bureau of Meteorology website
learn more about how to prepare for severe weather.

Cool Your Jets

We’ll be out on the water reminding all boaties and personal watercraft (PWC) riders to “Cool Your Jets” this spring school holidays, making sure everyone is:

following speed limits and distance off rules
keeping a proper lookout
wearing a lifejacket in high-risk situations.

Learn more about the Spring Boating Safety Campaign.

New 6-knot speed limit for 2 areas of Baffle Creek

We have moved to address safety concerns and introduced 6-knot speed restrictions near both the Rocky Point Road and Winfield Road boat ramps on Baffle Creek.

Learn more about the changes of the new speed limit at Baffle Creek.

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:

6 knots speed limits zones in busy areas of the Noosa River
delivery of 'notices to comply' with marine safety and pollution laws to vessel owners
the removal of derelict or abandoned vessels
anchoring restrictions for vessels commenced in July 2024.

Our priority is to educate and communicate with the community while we implement the Noosa River Waterway Management Plan.

Learn more about the Noosa River Waterway Management Plan and safety improvements.

Download the Noosa River public consultation results.

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.