Maritime Safety Queensland is urging all vessel owners to take action now, with Queensland’s 2025-26 extreme weather season officially underway.
From now until April 2026, Queensland’s coastline faces an increased risk of severe weather. Maritime Safety Queensland is calling on boat owners to prepare early: have a plan, check your vessel, secure your moorings, and always monitor forecasts before you head out on the water.
Maritime Safety Queensland has published regional extreme weather contingency plans for ports and pilotage areas across the Queensland coast giving boaties clear, localised guidance on what to do when severe weather threatens.
Vessel owners are encouraged to review these plans and follow Maritime Safety Queensland’s seasonal safety reminders, which include vessel checklists, weather updates, maritime situation updates on the Maritime Safety Queensland Dashboard, and advice from Regional Harbour Masters and Marine Officers.
Early action saves lives. Don’t wait for the first storm warning – plan now, act early, and stay safe.
- Find your local extreme weather contingency plans specific to ports and pilotage areas across the entire Queensland coast.
- MSQ’s website has tips on how to prepare your vessel for extreme weather.
- All boaties should follow Maritime Safety Queensland on social media at https://www.facebook.com/MaritimeSafetyQld and to stay informed using the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard for regular updates and resources.
Region specific messages:
Brisbane Region
- Brisbane boaties, stay updated via VHF Channel 16 and local emergency dashboards.
- Review MSQ’s Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan.
- Always check the latest weather updates directly with the Bureau of Meteorology BoM MetEye
Gladstone Region
- Gladstone waterways are particularly susceptible to flooding, so ensure you monitor local weather forecasts and flood advisories.
- Watch out for increased water levels, stronger currents and hazardous floating debris.
- Many rivers are equipped with water flow rate monitoring stations, so vessel owners are encouraged stay informed by visiting the Queensland Government’s water monitoring information portal
Mackay Region
- Plan, prepare and practice your response to an extreme weather event in the Mackay and Whitsundays region now!
- Stay informed – monitor Mackay and Whitsunday VTS on VHF Channels 10 and 16 – follow Maritime Safety Queensland at https://www.facebook.com/MaritimeSafetyQld and monitor the Maritime Safety Queensland dashboard
Townsville Region
- Make sure your crew knows your plan and that your vessel can handle heavy weather.
- Follow all directions from Maritime Safety Queensland’s Regional Harbour Master—you may be asked to move or leave your vessel early.
Cairns Region
- Vessels in the Cairns region are required to follow the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan available from the Maritime Safety Queensland website.
- When advised under the Plan, smaller vessels in Cairns should move to the upper reaches of Trinity Inlet and adjacent creeks. Other ports in the Cairns region must check their local plan for instructions.
- Owners should moor their vessels safely and avoid blocking access across creeks. It is always better to monitor conditions and advice, and act early.
- Maritime Safety Queensland’s Vessel Traffic Services continuously monitor VHF channel 16 and your local Cairns region port frequency.
