New marine rescue vessel saving lives in Cairns

• Official launch of Marine Rescue Queensland vessel Trinity Rescue in Cairns
• The vessel Trinity Rescue is a 7.5 metre rigid hard collar search and rescue vessel
• The vessel is built and delivered as part of Queensland Government’s $22.3 million vessel replacement program.
• Trinity Rescue is named for an early regional location in the Cairns area.

Minister for Police and Community Safety, Mark Ryan, joined Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski APM for a vessel commissioning ceremony today in Cairns.

The Miles Government’s historic reforms to marine rescue operations in Queensland are delivering real benefits to volunteer units across the state.

An investment of over $22 million by the Miles Government is delivering new vessels for marine rescue units up and down the Queensland Coast, including Cairns.

The temperate climate and pristine waters of the Far North region also bring risk of cyclones, reef encounters and other dangers which can result in calls for assistance.

Operated by QF9 Cairns Coast Guard, the vessel has already been deployed in response to search and rescue operations in the Far North.

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:

“The new vessel replaced QF9 Cairns’ aging secondary vessel, enhancing marine rescue capability and ensuring a more modern, safe and responsive service to the Cairns community,” he said.

“The 7.5m hard collared rescue vessel undertook sea trials in March, with delivery to QF9 Cairns in April 2024. 

“The Queensland Government is proud to invest $22.3 million into replacing marine search and rescue vessels.”

Quotes attributable to Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski:

This vessel will continue to enhance safety on the water for communities in the Far North,” he said.

“Supporting our marine rescue volunteers with replacement assets to assist their community and the boating public is a priority for the Queensland Police Service.

“QPS welcomes and supports marine rescue volunteers to the new Marine Rescue Queensland organisation as we continue our combined commitment to community safety.”

Quotes attributable to Marine Rescue Queensland Chief Officer Tony Wulff:

“Trinity Rescue is a state-of-the-art marine rescue vessel with numerous operational and safety features to suit its primary purpose of on-water search and rescue,” he said.

“As we progressively roll-out MRQ across the state, community and volunteer safety is our highest priority.

“We continue to work closely with our Water Police colleagues to make sure we are ready for anyone who needs assistance on the water.

“Vessels such as the Trinity Rescue go a long way in keeping our volunteers safe so they can focus on the safety of people who use our waterways.”

Quotes attributable to Barron River MP Craig Crawford:

“Our waters in the Far North are busy and popular and that means having the best response capability when people get into trouble or need help of any kind is critical.

“I am proud to of Miles Government’s continuing investments in the frontline to give our hard working and dedicated marine rescue volunteers the best possible equipment and vessels.”

Quotes attributable to Cairns MP Michael Healy:

“I am acutely aware of the daily efforts of our volunteers who keep people on the water safe.

“In our beautiful part of the world, response capability on the water is especially important and I welcome this new investment in supporting our frontline volunteers.”

Quotes attributable to Cook MP Cynthia Lui:

“Our volunteers do incredible work to keep people safe on the water and it is only fitting that the government give our volunteers every possible support.

“Delivering new vessels for volunteers in the Far North demonstrates yet again that the Miles Government is investing in community safety in every region of our big state of Queensland.”

Further information:

• Vessel Trinity Rescue CS31 is delivered as a dedicated secondary vessel to Australian Volunteer Coast Guard QF9 Cairns under the Queensland Government’s vessel replacement program and is currently in operational use.
• CS31 is a hard collared 7.5 metre aluminium construction vessel powered by twin Suzuki 200 horsepower outboard motors.
• CS31 is regularly used for both crew training and rescue activation activities and can carry up to 8 crew and passengers at speeds up to 40 knots with a cruising range in excess of 550Km.

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444