Preparing for severe weather

Queensland’s severe weather season is generally from November to April and  and can include storms, heavy rainfall, high winds and large swell. 

As a boat owner or master you are responsible for ensuring your boat and property is maintained and appropriately equipped to survive severe weather conditions, and you are ready to keep yourself, your passengers and other boaties safe. 

As a boat owner or master, you must know what do if you are:

• planning to head out on the water
• going away during severe weather season
• out on a boat during storm season
• approaching a severe or extreme weather season

Plan ahead before you go out on the water

Before heading out onto the water you must check the marine weather forecasts through:

• Check the Bureau of Meteorology website or app to view:
  • Marine and ocean page for the latest weather forecasting
  • MetEye for detailed information on forecast winds, waves and weather
  • Queensland warnings summary for current warnings including marine wind warnings
• tuning into marine radio channels 
• Reviewing the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard for:
  • notice to mariners
  • extreme weather event contingency plans
  • tide charts
  • information on marine weather
  • port operations and closure
  • maritime warnings.

You must stay informed on the current weather conditions while you're out on the water.

What to do if you are going away during severe weather season

If you are going away from November to April, make sure you do one of the following before you leave:

• Leave a key and contact details with a responsible (and licensed) person, telling them when and where your boat needs to be moved if there is a severe or extreme weather warning.
• Contact your local marine rescue unit to see if any arrangements are available for moving your boat in an emergency. 

What if I am out on a boat during severe weather?

Personal safety is the number one priority at all times. Use common sense if you are stuck in severe weather and:

• at the first sign of bad or severe weather while you are on the water, make sure everyone on board is wearing a life jacket.
• if you cannot get back to your normal mooring or boat ramp, look for shelter in rivers or creeks with a mangrove fringe to act as a buffer zone from the wind.
• remember that heavy rain and wind can increase the size and rate of tides, including in creeks and rivers.
• if you are in a marina or hardstand area, ask the manager for instructions.
• check the MSQ Dashboard for maritime warnings.
• check the Queensland Government disaster management dashboard or your local government dashboard for land based and other warnings.
• follow any Regional Harbour Master, police or emergency services directions. 

What do I need to do during severe weather season?

Prepare, plan and follow these simple rules and you could prevent damage to your boat and others.

Plan

• Review the extreme weather event contingency plan and relevant appendix for your area.
• Explore your suggested or mandated shelter area or inlet before the extreme weather season starts.
• Update your contact details with the authorities.
• Organise options to move your boat if you will be away during severe weather season.
• Keep a record of your local emergency telephone numbers including:
  • Maritime Safety Queensland regional office
  • radio channels
  • Maritime Rescue Queensland Rescue Unit
  • Queensland Police Service
• Know where to access up-to-date warnings and directions:
  • Maritime warnings via the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard
  • Storm, flood and cyclone warnings via the Queensland Government disaster management dashboard

Prepare

• Know when and where your vessel needs to be during an evacuation or port closure.
• Have plenty of line to secure your boat (rope has more ‘give’ than chain).
• Secure loose articles below deck.
• Secure all hatches.
• Check your boat is watertight.
• Reduce wind loading and remove furled sails and covers, bimini tops and any clears.

Follow directions

• Follow all directions issued by the Regional Harbour Master or others as delegated.
• Do not leave your cyclone or emergency mooring until the Regional Harbour Master has given the all clear. 

Failing to follow Regional Harbour Master directions can result in a fine of up to $32,260.