Maritime Safety Queensland Archives

New Design Released for Parking and Safety Changes at Manly State Boat Harbour

Manly State Boat Harbour is preparing for changes at Norfolk Point, with a new concept design outlining safety and accessibility upgrades for Trafalgar Street and the surrounding parking area to support pedestrians, drivers and cyclists using the busy waterfront precinct.

Maritime Safety Queensland issued a community media alert on 20 February 2026, confirming the works are scheduled to begin by mid-2026.

According to Maritime Safety Queensland, the project will modernise parking arrangements at the harbour and cater to increased demand for access. The concept design centres on safety, accessibility and connectivity in an area where vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians share close space near the boat ramp and foreshore.

The proposed works include a new accessible pathway, marked accessible parking spaces, speed humps, updated signage and line marking, bicycle parking facilities and a raised pedestrian crossing. Trafalgar Street is also set to be resurfaced as part of the upgrade.

These elements are shown in detail on the official Maritime Safety Queensland project page, where the full concept plan can be viewed.

Slower speeds and clearer layout

The concept map indicates a 20 km/h speed zone in parts of the project area. The inclusion of speed humps and a raised pedestrian crossing is intended to support safer movement between parking areas and waterfront access points.

Improved signage and refreshed line marking are also part of the design, helping to clarify parking spaces and traffic directions within the precinct. Maritime Safety Queensland states the upgrades aim to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

The accessible pathway and parking spaces are designed to support people with mobility needs, making it easier to move between vehicles and the waterfront.

Supporting a well-used harbour precinct

Norfolk Point sits within a section of Manly State Boat Harbour that sees regular activity from boat owners, recreational fishers, cyclists and families visiting the waterfront. While the concept design does not outline changes to the broader harbour layout, it focuses specifically on Trafalgar Street and the adjacent parking facility.

Maritime Safety Queensland has made the concept design publicly available online so community members can review the proposed layout ahead of construction. Further details about staging and timing are expected closer to the planned start date in mid-2026.

Once completed, the works are intended to update the parking configuration and improve safety and accessibility in this part of the harbour precinct.

Published 25-Feb-226

Moreton Bay Fatalities Off Manly Cited in 2024 Safety Findings

Photo Credit: Pexels

A state marine safety report and subsequent media coverage have pointed to the Boxing Day 2023 boating tragedy off Manly as a reminder that serious incidents can occur even in calm Queensland waters.

Marine Safety Report and Manly Connection

The Marine Incidents in Queensland 2024 report, tabled in Parliament in August 2025, found that about a third of last year’s boating incidents occurred in calm waters and good weather. While the report’s regional breakdown does not list “Moreton Bay” separately, media coverage noted no boating fatalities recorded in the bay in 2024 — a contrast to the Boxing Day 2023 incident off Manly, used as an example of past dangers.

Queensland marine safety — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Details of the 2023 Manly Tragedy

On 26 December 2023, a 12-metre motorised pleasure craft carrying 11 men on an annual fishing trip capsized during a violent storm in Moreton Bay. Eight men were rescued and brought to Manly Marina, while three — identified as Robert Holden, Stephen Tait, and David “Mario” Logan — died in the incident.

The vessel overturned amid winds of about 100 kilometres per hour, with survivors found clinging to the hull. Search teams recovered one body on the day, a second later that night, and the third the following morning.

Wider Storm Impacts

The Manly capsizing was part of a severe weather system over the Christmas period that caused multiple fatalities across south-east Queensland. In total, seven people died in separate incidents linked to the storms, which brought winds exceeding 150 kilometres per hour in some areas and left extensive damage.

Manly boating tragedy — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Findings from the 2024 Report

The marine safety report recorded 312 incidents in 2024, resulting in eight fatalities, 45 hospital admissions, and 57 other injuries. Almost 64 per cent of incidents occurred in smooth waters, and human error was the most frequently cited factor.

Investigators found that in seven of the eight fatal cases last year, the victims drowned or were presumed to have drowned. Three of the eight fatalities were known to be wearing lifejackets; among the seven who drowned, two were wearing one. Several victims were boating alone in small or open vessels.

Ongoing Safety Measures

Maritime Safety Queensland has introduced measures to improve safety compliance, including updated registration and licensing processes, a review of safety equipment rules, and statewide waterways management plans. New lifejacket regulations for heightened-risk activities came into effect in December 2024, with enforcement beginning in July 2025.

Published 11-Aug-2025

Lifejackets, Locals, and the Love of the Bay: Boating Safety Rules Anchor in Manly

For many locals in Manly, weekends on the water are second nature. Whether it’s fishing or sailing, or simply paddling through the Moreton Bay Marine Park, recreational boating is more than a pastime — it’s a way of life.

But from 1 July 2025, Manly’s boaters will need to be more than just sun-smart and tide-aware — they’ll need to make sure their lifejackets are properly worn in high-risk situations, or risk a fine starting at $333.

The new lifejacket laws, introduced by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), have been in effect since December 2024, but the focus until now has been on education. That grace period ends this July, with full enforcement beginning just in time for the winter school holidays.

What the New Rules Mean

Under the updated laws, lifejackets are now mandatory in specific circumstances — especially on smaller boats and when conditions are riskier. This includes:

Boating alone or only with children under 12 in open boats under 4.8m in length
Crossing designated coastal bars
Operating open boats at night
When children under 12 are on open sections of any boat
On certain unpowered or low-powered craft, like kayaks, rafts, and pedal boats

MSQ’s renewed safety focus follows sobering statistics: 64 people died in Queensland boating accidents between 2019 and 2023 — and just five were wearing lifejackets at the time

Boating by the Numbers in Moreton Bay

Manly is home to Queensland’s largest small-boat harbour, and its facilities — including two public boat ramps and numerous pontoons — support thousands of boaters each year. According to Maritime Safety Queensland, the state is home to over 261,000 registered recreational vessels and more than 1 million boating licence holders, with a significant concentration in the south-east

Locally, the most popular activities in Moreton Bay include fishing (66%), motorboating (63%), and sailing (35%), according to a 2022 recreational boating study commissioned by Healthy Land & Water

Manly clubs — from the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club to Sailability — continue to grow in membership, proving the bay’s strong boating culture.

Safety Meets Lifestyle

Brisbane Coast Guard, which operates its largest flotilla right here in Manly, welcomes the tougher stance on safety.

“We’re seeing more casual boaters and families out on the water than ever,” one volunteer said. “It’s not just seasoned sailors anymore; and these new laws will help save lives, especially among newer or less-experienced users.”

The TMR campaign aligns with broader efforts to improve marine safety, including awareness drives about fatigue, alcohol, and poor vessel maintenance. These are all frequent factors in maritime incidents.

Community Buy-in

At the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club, Commodore Joan Fitzgerald said most members are already familiar with lifejacket laws, but the reminders are helpful — particularly during holiday seasons when visiting boaters are more common.

“We encourage everyone, locals or visitors, to check the Maritime Safety Queensland website or ask staff at the harbour before heading out,” she said. “It’s not about policing fun. It’s about ensuring your family comes back safe.”

The club has even offered to host information nights and distribute printed guides on the new rules through affiliated clubs and schools.

Published 23-June-2025

Maritime Safety Queensland Targets Manly Waters in Easter Boating Safety Checks

Photo Credit: Maritime Safety Queensland

Maritime Safety Queensland is strongly reminding Manly boaties and others across state waters to follow important safety rules, especially new lifejacket laws, following the worrying fact that 59 out of 64 people who drowned in recent Queensland boating accidents were not wearing a lifejacket.

Easter Safety Campaign Underway

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) officers are conducting an intensive safety campaign on the state’s waterways, including areas around Manly. This safety focus runs from 5 April to 21 April, covering the busy Easter school holiday period. MSQ officers will be out on the water checking boats and talking to people. The main goals are to ensure people follow the rules for wearing lifejackets and travelling at safe speeds, as these are the two biggest factors in boating deaths.

New Lifejacket Rules Explained

New rules for wearing lifejackets were enacted on 1 December 2024 to help keep people safer in risky situations. Wearing a lifejacket is now required by law when crossing designated coastal bars in open boats or the open area of any boat. It’s also required when boating alone in an open boat under 4.8 metres long or in a vessel between sunset and sunrise.

Furthermore, all children aged between one and twelve years must wear a lifejacket while in an open boat or the open area of any underway boat. An open boat generally means one without a permanent rigid cabin or deckhouse.

Lifejacket Standards and Conditions

Boaties are reminded that lifejackets must be kept in good condition to work properly. This means checking that the material colour is still bright, the stitching is intact, and the straps are not worn out. Inflatable lifejackets need regular servicing according to the maker’s instructions, which might involve professional or careful self-servicing following specific steps.

It is also important for boat owners to know that all lifejackets must meet the current Australian Standard AS 4758 by 1 September 2025, as older types are being phased out. Different types of lifejackets are available, rated for different water conditions, such as open or smooth waters.

Enforcement and Penalties

While MSQ officers focus on educating boaters about the new lifejacket rules, they will begin enforcing compliance with fines from 1 July 2025. However, officers can issue fines immediately to boaties caught speeding. Speeding is a major risk because it gives boat operators less time to react to unexpected situations or dangers on the water.

Official Safety Message

Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Kell Dillon emphasised that a lifejacket can only save someone’s life if they are wearing it. He stated that the new laws aim to ensure that lifejackets are worn during high-risk times, such as boating alone, at night, crossing bars, or when children are onboard.

Mr Dillon urged all boaties to make wearing lifejackets a normal part of their boating routine. He also warned that speeding reduces reaction time and increases the risk of serious accidents. The core message for boaties this Easter is straightforward: wear your lifejacket, slow down, and ensure a safe return home.

Published Date 07-April-2025