MRIP - Monthly Newsletter July/August 2023

Watch a message from Director Matthew Thompson,  Marine Rescue Implementation Program

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Yacht's New

New FAQ page – your questions answered!

We are listening! We have been capturing many of the questions you have raised recently and are excited to launch our new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page as a resource which will continue to be updated as new information becomes available and decisions are made.

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Desktop pilots 

Expressions of Interest (EOI) were sought via the Marine Rescue Queensland Implementation Working Group (MRQIWG) for units interested in assisting the Marine Rescue Implementation Program (MRIP) to develop service delivery and transition solutions during a desktop pilot process. We received overwhelming interest and support from this EOI process and are thrilled to announce the initial units selected:

• VMR Brisbane
• VMR Bribie Island
• QF2 Brisbane
• QF4 Caloundra

We look forward to mapping out what a transition pathway that caters for the unit's local requirements within the future MRQ model.

Thanks to all for your interest and we look forward to conducting these pilots and refining our transition approach in preparation for the launch of Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ).

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Contingency vessels

The vessel replacement program continues to progress with several builds underway or soon to go to contract. Some of these builds includes a contingent capability, that will strategically locate a small number of MRQ vessels at agreed locations across the State which can be transported for use by individual Units when their primary or secondary vessels require maintenance or repair or are offline for a period of time. Additionally, they may also be used for training, search, and rescue exercises, or deployed to assist communities during disasters.

We currently have three of these contingency vessels and trailers on the way, which when ready, will be transported to locations that are in need.

As part of our modernisation of training methods and tools, volunteers will be able to take a simulated tour of a contingency vessel prior to its arrival to ensure they are familiar with it. Below you can see a 3D model of what these vessels will look like and the trailer used for transportation. We look forward to sharing more about these as the builds progress.

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Blue Card Pilot launch 

During July, the MRIP team completed a Blue Card Pilot event at QF2 Brisbane where half of their active members completed a Blue Card application or linked their existing Blue Card to the Marine Rescue Queensland Blue Card organisational portal.

The team has met with representatives from AVCGA and VMRAQ and have now connected with over 16 Flotillas and Squadrons and 130 Blue Card applications processed in the past three weeks. If we haven’t been in touch yet and you are interested in nominating your unit to be part of this Blue Card rollout, please send an email to MRQ.bluecards@police.qld.gov.au and we can contact you to discuss how we can best support your unit through this new process.

Participation in the Blue Card Pilots by volunteers is an entirely voluntary exercise prior to the transition to MRQ, however, all marine rescue volunteers will require a Blue Card on transition to MRQ.

Marine rescue volunteers conduct marine search and rescue operations, which may include attending medical emergencies and administering first aid. Additionally, injured people, including children, may present at marine rescue units, requiring help. Administering first aid generally requires physical contact with a person, and because this person may be a child, Blue Cards are essential.

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On the radar

Jacobs Well Big Splash event (FREE) 
When: Saturday 16.09.2023 | 9.30AM – 3.00PM 
Where: VMR Jacob’s Well – 1161 Pimpama – Jacobs Well Road, Jacobs Well 4208 
Why: Celebrate the launch of their new vessel ‘Jacobs Well Rescue 1’ and 45 years of service to the community of Jacobs Well.

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Unit visits 

Over the next month, members of the MRIP team have confirmed visits to:

• Round Hill
• Redland Bay

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All aboard

Do you have an Annual General Meeting (AGM) coming up? If you would like an MRIP representative to attend, send us an email invitation in advance to ensure we can make it.

Do you have an initiative, good news story or event happening at your unit? Let us know so we can share your achievements state-wide.

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe to our email list here to never miss the latest MRIP news.

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Last updated:

30 August 2023