Safety at sea

We have undertaken several campaigns, training programs and other initiatives focused on marine safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), a branch of TMR, leads these vital programs.

Torres Strait Marine Safety Program

We first introduced the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program in 2006 in partnership with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

The program aims to:

• reduce the number of incidents of lost seafarers in the Torres Strait
• increase the chances of survival of lost seafarers
• increase community and industry commitment to safety
• achieve outcomes through partnerships with communities, industry and government agencies.

Initiatives within the program include:

• a targeted Boatsafe training course that includes training and education around vessel breakdown and maintenance, safety equipment and its use
• increased education around emergency procedures at sea and general boating rules
• the provision of safety ‘grab bags’ that contain required marine safety equipment

Education material support these initiatives, including workbooks, safety maps and fuel requirement stickers for boats, safety equipment stickers and a Torres Strait Safety pocket guide.

Sacred Seas Artwork

In 2019, MSQ commissioned an artwork titled Sacred Seas by artists Warwick and Maxine Go Sam, from Torres Strait and Central Queensland communities. The artwork depicts the story of the current and historical relationship between First Nations people and the sea. All Queensland waterways have provided food, travel opportunities, settings for ceremony, stories and the passing down of culture to the next generation, and Sacred Seas describes this relationship.

Following the example of Gilimbaa’s ‘Travelling’, the artwork and designs have been used on apparel, education materials, vessels, tents, education pods, and for an artwork display with the story for every MSQ office. The use of the artwork and design will be of particular significance when Maritime Safety Queensland officers are working in communities—both blue water and mainland—in enhancing our interactions with these seafarers and boat owners.

Torres Strait Safety Grab Bag Scheme

The Safety Grab Bag scheme has essential life-saving equipment, contained with 33 bags, that can be borrowed from local police on a short-term basis by Torres Strait Islanders embarking on voyages between islands.

The bags each contain 6-8 lifejackets, flares, v-sheet, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon and a Life Cell for use in emergencies.

In 2020, Maritime Safety Queensland conducted a comprehensive audit of the safety equipment provided in the grab bags. Over 9 days, 33 grab bags distributed throughout the communities of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area were audited and equipment was replaced as necessary. We work closely with Thursday Island Police Service Officers to ensure grab bags and their contents remain compliant.

Admiralty Island clean up

For the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples in Far North Queensland it has been devastating to see ship parts and rubbish accumulate on Admiralty Island and the surrounding waters of Trinity Inlet over several decades.

To address this, we launched a clean-up of the area in 2020 as part of the War on Wrecks campaign. Traditional Owners were consulted to understand their concerns and how best to undertake the clean-up with cultural sensitivity. Signage was placed on the island after the clean-up to help prevent further rubbish being left on it.