Come to a Coastguard Open Day
Coast Guard Tin Can Bay is throwing open their doors and boats for the public to take advantage of a “behind-the-scenes tour” of their base and vessels. Join crew members in practical tasks and learn about knot tying, rope splicing and how to use heaving lines in fun activities.
If you have a vessel (ranging from jet-skis, dinghies, power boats or yachts), they are offering a FREE Safety Check to make sure you comply with regulations, depending on the type and area of operation of your vessel. And yes, there will be a free sausage sizzle. So come along 11am – 1pm on Sunday March 18.
A very successful Bar Crossing and White Water Techniques course was run last month with 15 participants, including members of Hervey Bay VMR. Vital information and skills were passed on by Master Instructor, L.C. Sutton.
The Wide Bay Bar did its best to impress everyone with several realising that discretion was better than valour, and will finalise their bar crossing practicals on a future date, under supervision of experienced skippers and boat crews. More courses are in the What’s On pages.
QF17 also thank the members of the public in supporting their fundraising activities during the month. Whether it was supporting them at the Friday evening raffles at the Country Club, purchasing raffle tickets from one of their sellers at BCF or TCB Markets or outside the TCB Bakery, they are extremely grateful.
QF17 does not receive any direct funding from government and rely on some 85% of their operating costs from the public in order to function and be able to respond 24/7 to emergencies.
To those people who contributed to their operating costs when QF17 assisted you on the water, “thank you”.
QF17 is continually accepting new members to assist with on-water activities, radio room, fundraising and maintenance and hope you could spare a few hours per month of your time to help out. For information, please contact the base on 5486 4290 or stop in for a chat.
Base Statistics: (January)
- A total of 2440 man-hours were put in at the base
- 1428 calls handled through the radio room
- 223 vessels remembered to log on to our free sea-watch service
- 9 assists to vessels in distress
Remember QF17 offers a Marine Assist Program that provides a “free” tow if you need assistance. This is important when you realise that QF17’s primary vessel operation cost is $200/hr. and their Secondary Vessel is $100/hour. Contact QF17 Base (0600-1800 / 7 days per week) on 5486 4290 and join over the phone or request an application form.
QF17’s major raffle for a holiday at the Ramada Treetops Resort during Easter School Holidays will also be drawn at 1pm on March 18. Tickets are still available for $5 each with only 1,000 total on offer.
Until next time, may you have fair weather and calm seas!
