Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Jim McQuillians’ adult children Barbara, Kevin and Susan toasting the new vessel. Photo supplied
On Saturday 4th July the Tully Coast Guard held a ceremony to officially name and commission their new primary rescue vessel TU21, now known as; Jim McQuillian.
The vessel has been named after the one of the founders and first commander of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc (QF2). Jim dedicated over 40 years of active volunteering to his community and sadly passed away on 24 Dec 2024.
Without Jim’s efforts as a founder the Tully Coast Guard wouldn’t be what it is today. Jim was pivotal in obtaining a radio base that opened on 1st October 1977. Five months later in March1978 Tully received its formal Charter of Operations as the 12th Flotilla in Queensland with their first Commander: Jim McQuillan.
Jim’s three children Susan, Kevin and Barbara, attended the celebrations over the weekend.
“Seeing his name carried forward in a vessel dedicated to helping others feels especially meaningful, because he believed strongly in people helping people in order to support and strength community,” shared Susan.
The launching of a new vessel was a significant moment for the Tully Coast Guard with ‘Jim McQuillians’ predecessor; The ‘Mary Liddle’ serving as their primary boat for over 23 years.
The new vessel reflects current best practises within marine rescue and includes a sophisticated data network that brings together the information available through modern marine rescue technology including autopilot, automatic tilt/ trim, thermal imagining camera, radar, GPS and radio detector.
“The new vessel, will be much more reliable, much better to ride in and much quieter,” said Rod Fittock Deputy Flotilla Commander
“With the extra technology, when we have a search and rescue where we don’t know where the person is; now with the infrared and a sat phone [it means we have] much greater communication, [and it’s] safer and speedier.”
The Tully Coast Guard plays a vital role in keeping the community safe on the water. They are a volunteer marine-safety organisation and serve, Tully, Mission Beach, Hull Heads, Tully Heads and the surrounding waterways.
The festivities also coincided with the recent signing of a Deed Transition which will see Tully Coast Guard move from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association INC over to Marine Rescue Queensland. The MRQ are the custodians of the ‘Jim McQuillan’ vessel and this will only strength the partnership with Tully Coast Guard going forward.
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