COVID-19/East Coast Marina FAQ’s:
Where can you receive the most up to date information on Marina Operations?
Please visit this page for further updates. Latest updates will be at the top of the page.
18/06/2020
Our tenant Southern Cross Yachting is now running Covid safe practical courses. For further information please contact their office on phone: 3396-4100
Cafe La Mer is now taking bookings for 20 people sit down meals during their normal trading hours.
The current advice for Queensland’s recreational boaters from Maritime Safety Queensland is as follows –
Recreational Boating, Bareboating and Charter Boats Recreational Boating
As of noon Monday 01 June 2020, recreational water-based travel within Queensland is permitted without restrictions. This includes the ability to travel overnight and with no travel distance limitation. Queenslanders are also allowed to hire a sailboat for bareboating recreational purposes. Social distancing measures and good hygiene practices must be observed.
Queensland Health have also advised that under the current health directions effective 12pm on 1 June, ‘tourism experiences’ such as dive boats, fishing charters and other boat operators who take individual or tour groups, can commence operations with up to 20 people. Queensland Health have listed conditions that include one person per four square metres and wherever possible maintain 1.5 metre social distancing. These and other restrictions and conditions that may apply to your specific charter operation, can be found in the latest current health directions and latest advice can be found here.
Previously advised international and interstate border restrictions remain in place.
Bareboating
Queenslanders are allowed to hire a sailboat for bareboating recreational purposes. Social distancing measures and good hygiene practices must be observed.
Charter Boats
Queensland Health have advised that under the current health directions effective 12pm on 1 June, ‘tourism experiences’ such as dive boats, fishing charters and other boat operators who take individual or tour groups, can commence operations with up to 20 people. Queensland Health have listed conditions that include one person per four square metres and wherever possible maintain 1.5 metre social distancing. These and other restrictions and conditions that may apply to your specific charter operation, can be found in the latest current health directions and latest advice found under the MSQ website.
18/05/2020
Our tenant CAFE LA MER is again open 7am to 3.30pm 7 days. Due to government restrictions a maximum of 10 people sitting at one time is allowed so please book your table before you arrived to avoid any inconvenience.
The current advice for Queensland’s recreational boaters from Maritime Safety Queensland is as follows –
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer advised that from Saturday, 02 May 2020 boaties are able to engage in water-based recreational activities within 50 km of their home.
Social distancing rules always apply – special attention must be paid at congestion areas like boat ramps and refuelling points. Additionally, there is also the unnecessary contact risks you may create if you need assistance when out of the water – hence, for those venturing out prepare well before leaving home.
Boats should only contain family who ordinarily live in the same household, or skipper and one other person.
Please be aware all agencies and rescue groups are following the Chief Health Officer directions within their own work areas. All emergencies will be dealt with as a matter of priority, but less urgent incidents may potentially take longer to respond to. Volunteer marine rescue organisations and MSQ continue to provide a marine distress emergency radio watch on marine VHF channels 16 and 67.
Skippers are advised to notify a family member or close friend of their trip, including the route they intend to take, their destination and an estimated time of return; with instructions to call 000 if they do not return within a given period.
Skippers are reminded that a number of entities may have specific restrictions in place for their local areas with information available on their respective websites. Some examples are
* Recreational areas such as dams, lakes and weirs
* Closure of camping areas within Queensland National Parks, state forests and recreational areas
* Access to some remote and indigenous communities including islands
* Local Government operated marine facilities.
Skippers are always responsible for the safety of their vessel and the people on board. This includes trip planning, vessel fully serviceable, having the appropriate safety equipment, keeping a proper look out and proceeding at a safe speed.
07/04/2020
Our tenant CAFE LA MER is now open for takeaways – Monday to Friday 7.30am to 1pm
As of this date information from Marine Safety Queensland is current…as follows:
What’s the advice for Queensland’s recreational boaters?
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has been very clear – if you don’t need to be out then stay ashore, stay home.
However, as there is on land, there are exceptions that apply on water.
You should only be on your boat alone, or with no more than one other person; or with family who ordinarily live in the same household as you.
Some essential reasons you may need to use your boat could be to:
- exercise (e.g. kayaking/sailing/paddling etc);
- fish;
- get to and from work, where the work cannot reasonably be performed from home;
- get groceries; and
- provide assistance, care or support to an immediate member of the person’s family.
Social distancing rules always apply – at the boat ramp and on your boat.
We want people to be able continue their normal lives as much as possible under the current circumstances, but advice of the Chief Health Officer must be followed.
If you do need to go out, stick to your local waters.
Unless you have an essential need to be out – stay ashore, stay home.
MSQ has deployed temporary signage across a number of key areas providing advice to the recreational boating community. This includes marinas, state boat harbours and highly frequented boat ramps. Signage will continue to be deployed across the state at public marine facilities in coming days.
MSQ has continued to undertake patrols, both on water and ashore at key marine facilitates over the weekend to inform, and enforce where necessary, safe and responsible boating under the current CHO directives. Key waterways along the Queensland coast from the Broadwater to Cairns have been targeted over the past two days. MSQ has also joined enforcement partners from QPS and DAF on our waters.
Over the weekend MSQ has witnessed both responsible and essential boating as mandated in the advice above, as well as pockets of irresponsible and non-essential boating. A number of vessels have been ordered off the water and a number of safety infringements written.
Compliance Patrols will continue in the lead up to Easter and beyond.
Please be aware all agencies and rescue groups are following the Chief Health Officer directions within their own work areas. All emergencies will be dealt with as a matter of priority but less urgent incidents may potentially take longer to respond to.
Skippers are always responsible for the safety of their boat and the people on board, this includes trip planning, having the appropriate safety equipment, keeping proper look out, and proceeding at a safe speed.
Skippers are advised to notify a family member or close friend of your trip, including the route you intend to take, your destination and an estimated time of return; with instructions to call 000 if you do not return within a given period.
Volunteer marine rescue organisations and MSQ continue to provide a marine distress emergency radio watch on marine VHF channels 16 and 67.
In this pandemic, MSQ also asks skippers to be responsible, support the Chief Health Officer and help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Boaties are reminded that a number of entities have put specific restrictions in place for their areas.
- Seqwater has announced that, as from 26 March, all recreation areas at Seqwater-managed lakes and parks are closed until further notice.
- Commencing 31 March, Sunwater has also closed access to all Sunwater managed recreational areas, including dams, lakes and weirs.
- Department of Environment and Science has announced the closure of all camping areas within Queensland National Parks, state forests and recreational areas, while governments have placed restrictions on access to some remote and indigenous communities
I can also confirm that State Government boat ramps are open.
31/03/2020
New social distancing measures affect your boating activities. The image below provides some guidance.
24/03/2020
Is the East Coast Marina Office open for business?
Yes. Currently we are continuing to operate as close to normal as possible. However, some changes to our operations ar now in place.
- We are following the advice of the Australian Government Department of Health and practicing physical distancing. In order to do this effectively, we ask that you please DO NOT come into the Marina Office. Instead, email info@eastcoastmarina.com.au or call on (07) 3393-3811 as we have measures in place and will be able to assist you.
- Until further notice, “CASH” will no longer be accepted as form of payment and we ask that all payments are made via online banking or by calling the office to process over the phone. Coins for the laundry will no longer be provided.
- We have increased the cleaning and sanitisation of our facilities. Some access gates will remain open to avoid unnecessary contact, and therefore Security monitoring will be increased.
- Currently our Rack Storage Operation is continuing as normal and all lift requests are to be made via telephone contact only (No Emails Accepted for Lift Requests)
Do you need to self-isolate?
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in recent contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 you must self-isolate.
From Wednesday 24 March 2020 every person that enters Queensland must self-isolate for 14 days. Recent advice is that people who have been overseas in the weeks prior to this deadline should also consider self-isolation.
Why can’t I self-isolate on my vessel within East Coast Marina?
We believe the risk to our clients is too great. Even the simple task of touching the keypad, gate, handrails or to get on or off the pier, puts other users at risk.
Self-Isolating for 14 Days within the Marina means you would need to use the Shared Public Facilities, eg bathroom, toilet, laundry, etc and therefore increase the risk of transferring the virus to others.
Can I self-isolate on my vessel outside of East Coast Marina?
Yes of course, you can self-isolate for 14 days on board your vessel out in a number of protected anchorages within Moreton Bay.
What if I develop symptoms?
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- a fever (at least 38°C)
- a cough
- shortness of breath
- sneezing or runny nose.
If you experience symptoms, please remove yourself from East Coast Marina, self-isolate and phone Healthline on 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
If you need assistance:
If you don’t know what to do or would like more information, please call the Government Helpline on .13 43 25 84
Please remember we are taking these proactive steps in an attempt to ensure the health and safety of all on site and the continued operation of our business.
Your co-operation in achieving these aims is essential and greatly appreciated.
We hope you all keep safe during this time and continue to follow the social distancing protocols.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do get in touch with one of our team members in the marina office.