Media Release

21 September 2017: KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter together with KAP candidate for Cook Gordon Rasmussen have applauded the QF10 marine safety group in Port Douglas for their relentless efforts in fighting to resume marine rescue services off the coast of Port Douglas.
The QF10 flotilla were in the midst transitioning from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard to the Marine Rescue Service Queensland (MRSQ) when they hit a bureaucratic wall resulting in their boats locked up and sheds closed.
KAP candidate for Cook Gordon Rasmussen labelled the decision to lock up the only marine rescue body in the region as ‘dire’ and called on Mr Katter to join him in Port Douglas to meet with QF10 and discuss options to resolve the issue post-haste.
Mr Katter said, “When QF10 applied to transition to MRSQ the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard took their boats off them and locked them out of the boat sheds.
“The closest marine rescue organisation is in Cairns - nearly four hours boat drive away. Most of the boats in Port Douglas go north which would delay rescues even more.
“Four hours out in rough seas; that is a very terrible place to be. You’d die in that time.
“This situation was very serious. We had a meeting on Tuesday and by Wednesday it had been fixed up by the Marine Rescue Services, and we have to pay them congratulations.”
KAP candidate for Cook Gordon Rasmussen also praised QF10 for their tenacity and persistence but warned that whilst the battle was won, the war continues.
“We have enormous gratitude for QF10. Their forbearance on this matter has been aspirational and I commend them on their tenacity and willingness to fight the battle.
“But even though they have access to their equipment, the battle is just starting. We will be looking with interest and throwing the full support of KAP towards the Port Douglas branch of the Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland.
“These people risk their lives to go out in heavy seas and darkness to save lives - they are great heroes.”
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