MRIP - Phase 1 Transition Update

Dear Volunteers

The Marine Rescue Implementation Program (MRIP) is excited to share an important update about the Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) implementation.

Building on our prior announcement in December 2023 regarding the zonal approach for Flotillas and Squadrons to join MRQ, we've developed a detailed and phased unit transition plan.

Phase 1 Transition

We will be introducing a Phase 1 unit transition group, ahead of the transition tranches communicated to volunteers last year.

This Phase 1 unit transition group will comprise of ten transition sites, located in each of the future MRQ Regions, building on the important learnings discovered in our recent desktop pilot, and, importantly, enriching our understanding of the particular and distinct attributes and needs of each region.

The ten transition sites were identified via a range of criteria including location, state of readiness, and sentiment towards joining MRQ. The sites who have confirmed participation include:

1. AVCGA QF9 Cairns
2. AVCGA QF4 Caloundra
3. AVCGA QF17 Tin Can Bay
4. VMR Bribie Island
5. VMR Hervey Bay
6. VMR Jacobs Well
7. VMR Mackay
8. The three remaining units are yet to confirm their participation.

The MRIP team have also spoken to the selected MRQ Central Region Unit to join Phase 1. We hope to a have another discussion with the Unit over the next week to understand their participation, bringing the total of units to 11 in Phase 1.

Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland Executives raised no objections to the MRIP engaging with the above units to commence the Phase 1 transition approach.

The MRIP acknowledges that the AVCGA Flotillas can not be transitioned to MRQ until ongoing negotiations and associated plebiscite are successfully completed and a transition plan is agreed with AVCGA National Board and State Council, Flotillas and the MRIP.

How is it going to work? 

A transition team from MRIP will work closely with each Unit, alongside ACVGA and VMRAQ to undertake each step of the process to join Marine Rescue Queensland. This process will include full discovery, Unit Transition Agreements and unit requirements (for VMR units only), the full unit transition process people, process and systems review and testing, onboarding, and induction.

The Phase 1 unit transition sites will enable us to test the full transition checklist, adjust and refine the process, and ensure a robust MRQ Rescue Ready Service Proposition and incorporating the best practice of both AVCGA and VMR.

This approach will result in a unique unit transition plan for every site, minimising risk while maximising regional understanding. The Phase 1 plan ensures that the MRQ rollout isn't a generic solution, but rather a carefully thought-out process that caters to the specific needs of each region, unit and all volunteers.

When will a Flotilla/Squadron be onboarded to Marine Rescue Queensland? 

It is envisaged that four Phase 1 Units will be onboarded to MRQ on 1 July 2024. These Units will be identified through the unit transition phase and ultimately will be selected based on preparedness and ease of transition.

The remaining six Phase 1 Units will commence their transition to MRQ post - 1 July, with their transition timeline adjusted based on their individual complexities and readiness levels.

Although we will continue to meet with all Units in terms of assessment areas that we can discuss to increase readiness, once a majority of the ten Phase 1 units have joined MRQ, we will start the same unit transition approach with the next phase of Units, which we have referred to previously in their tranche order with the below indicative timeframes:

1. Phase 2 - South Eastern Region, zone by zone, transitioned by December 2024

2. Phase 3 - North Coast Region, transitioned by March 2025

3. Phase 4 - Far Northern Region, transitioned by May 2025

4. Phase 5 - Central and Northern Regions, transitioned by August 2025

5. Phase 6 - Units with complexities, transitioned by October 2025

Next Steps

The MRIP team will initially meet individually with Phase 1 Unit leadership teams to kick off the discovery phase, negotiations, and preparatory activities for the transition to MRQ by the end of February 2024.

The next visit to Units in March will continue these activities and will include MRIP hosted update and Q&A session for all volunteers.

During this time, the MRIP team will negotiate with each Unit to establish a definitive stance for volunteers to consider before beginning the onboarding process to MRQ. A detailed onboarding process will be established to support each unit throughout the transition, encompassing training, resource distribution, and ongoing support.

Updates and insights gained will be communicated through the MRIP Leaders of Change, the Marine Rescue Queensland Implementation Working Group, Reference Groups, and MRIP communications channels.

As we move through Phase 1, the MRIP team will also focus on planning and preparing for Phase 2, continuing the enthusiasm and momentum towards joining MRQ.

If you have any questions please contact the Marine Rescue Implementation Program, at marinerescue@police.qld.gov.au.

Last updated:

19 February 2024