Emergency Information

Great Barrier Reef region emergency contacts and procedures

Primary Emergency

000

Police, Fire, Ambulance

24/7 emergency response for life-threatening situations

Marine Rescue QLD

VHF Channel 16

Marine Emergency Frequency

1800 802 007

24/7 marine rescue coordination

Regional Emergency Contacts

Cairns Region

Cairns Hospital:
(07) 4226 0000
Cairns Water Police:
(07) 4030 7000
Marine Rescue Cairns:
(07) 4031 3988
RACQ Emergency:
13 11 11

Port Douglas

Port Douglas Police:
(07) 4099 5220
Mossman Hospital:
(07) 4098 8444
Marine Rescue Port Douglas:
VHF Ch 82

Whitsundays

Airlie Beach Police:
(07) 4948 8888
Proserpine Hospital:
(07) 4945 0555
Marine Rescue Whitsunday:
(07) 4946 7207

Townsville

Townsville Hospital:
(07) 4433 1111
Water Police Townsville:
(07) 4759 9777
Marine Rescue Townsville:
(07) 4772 3988

Bundaberg

Bundaberg Hospital:
(07) 4150 2222
Marine Rescue Bundaberg:
(07) 4159 4349

Mackay

Mackay Hospital:
(07) 4885 6000
Marine Rescue Mackay:
(07) 4955 6882

Marine Emergency Services

Divers Alert Network (DAN)

Emergency: +61 8 8212 9242
24/7 diving emergency hotline
Decompression sickness, diving accidents

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

1800 803 772
Search and rescue coordination
EPIRB/PLB activations

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

(07) 4750 0700
Marine park incidents
Environmental emergencies

Reef HQ (Townsville)

(07) 4750 0800
Marine life information
Research and education center

Emergency Procedures

Box Jellyfish / Irukandji Sting

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
  1. Call 000 immediately
  2. Remove victim from water
  3. Pour vinegar liberally over sting site for 30 seconds
  4. Remove tentacles with tweezers (not hands)
  5. Apply ice packs for pain relief
  6. Monitor breathing and pulse
  7. Be prepared to perform CPR
Never use: Fresh water, alcohol, or rub the sting area

Water Emergency / Drowning

RESCUE SEQUENCE:
  1. Call 000 and Marine Rescue (VHF Ch 16)
  2. Throw flotation device if available
  3. Only enter water if trained in rescue
  4. Approach from behind if entering water
  5. Get victim to shore/boat quickly
  6. Check airway, breathing, circulation
  7. Begin CPR if necessary
Remember: Your safety first - a panicked person can drown their rescuer

Severe Weather / Cyclone

PREPARATION:
  1. Monitor Bureau of Meteorology warnings
  2. Return to shore immediately when advised
  3. Secure all equipment and vessels
  4. Have emergency supplies ready
  5. Know evacuation routes
  6. Stay tuned to emergency broadcasts
BOM Warnings: www.bom.gov.au or radio updates

Shark Encounter

IF YOU SEE A SHARK:
  1. Remain calm - most sharks are not aggressive
  2. Maintain eye contact
  3. Back away slowly toward shore/boat
  4. Avoid sudden movements
  5. If attacked, fight back - hit nose and gills
  6. Get out of water and seek medical attention
Prevention: Avoid dawn/dusk, murky water, and areas with baitfish

Location-Specific Hazards

Northern GBR (Cairns/Port Douglas)

  • Box Jellyfish: Oct-May, especially near mainland beaches
  • Irukandji: Year-round, very small and dangerous
  • Crocodiles: Estuaries and river mouths
  • Strong currents: Between reef passages

Central/Southern GBR

  • Blue-ringed Octopus: Small, extremely venomous
  • Cone Shells: Do not pick up shells
  • Stonefish: Camouflaged on reef flats
  • Strong tides: Particularly around Whitsundays

Emergency Kit for Reef Trips

First Aid Essentials

  • ✓ Vinegar (for stinger treatment)
  • ✓ Tweezers (for tentacle removal)
  • ✓ Compression bandages
  • ✓ Pain relief medication
  • ✓ Antiseptic wipes
  • ✓ Emergency blanket
  • ✓ Instant ice packs

Communication

  • ✓ VHF Marine Radio
  • ✓ Waterproof phone case
  • ✓ EPIRB or PLB
  • ✓ Emergency whistle
  • ✓ Mirror for signaling
  • ✓ Backup battery pack

Safety Equipment

  • ✓ Life jackets for all passengers
  • ✓ Dive flag and float
  • ✓ Emergency flares
  • ✓ Rope/anchor line
  • ✓ Extra drinking water
  • ✓ Sun protection
  • ✓ Emergency food

Current Conditions & Warnings

Live Information Sources

Emergency Radio Frequencies

  • VHF Channel 16: International distress and calling
  • VHF Channel 12: Coast Guard working channel
  • VHF Channel 21/22: Marine rescue working channels
  • 27MHz Channel 88: Marine emergency (HF)
  • ABC Local Radio: Emergency broadcasts
  • Triple M/4KQ: Weather and emergency updates