On guard: Coast Guard Queenscliff keeps watching the water

QUEENSCLIFF’S branch of the Coast Guard is committed to keeping a watchful eye on the water despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Coast Guard Queenscliff flotilla had one of its busiest years in recent memory in 2019-20, undertaking 72 marine rescue tasks and returning 163 people to shore between July 1 last year and June 30 this year.

The tasks ranged from a simple flat battery or empty fuel tank to more serious incidents where people’s lives were in danger.

Two of the rescues required the police helicopter to winch people to safety, while others involved people who had to be recovered from the water. Several of the people rescued required hospital treatment.

Much more recently, the flotilla was called into action from their base at Queenscliff’s boat ramp on Wednesday last week to assist four surfers, who were lucky to survive when a rogue wave capsized their boat in Port Philip Bay’s notorious Rip.

During the rescue, a Victoria Police helicopter provided support while Southern Peninsular Rescue retrieved the boat from shallow water and towed it out to rendezvous with Coast Guard Queenscliff, which righted the boat and took over the tow back to Queenscliff boat ramp.
The flotilla is staffed entirely by volunteers who turn out to assist vessels in distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Flotilla commander Michael Donohue said it had been a challenging year for Coast Guard Queencliff due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“In the first half of 2020, we have had to introduce new procedures to protect members and the public during marine incidents, much of our training and recruitment has been suspended and our normal fundraising activities have been put on hold.

“This has resulted in a loss of around $20,000, while attending to the largest number of incidents for some years.

“This has an impact on our operations as two-thirds of our funding comes from members of the community by way of donations, sale of raffle tickets.”

Coast Guard Queenscliff services a wide area including the Bellarine Peninsula, southern Port Phillip and coastal waters of Bass Strait.