One of the benefits of being a member of Marine Rescue Hervey Bay (MRHB), is the reciprocal rights with other areas. This gives members reduced towing or assistance costs if help is needed in certain areas along the Queensland Coast.

For MRHB Members 

If you are an On-Water, SO$, Ordinary or Gold member of MRHB, you qualify for Reciprocal Rights.  Reciprocal Rights apply ONLY to assistance by the following three (3) VMR Squadrons: 

  • VMR GLADSTONE 
  • VMR ROUND HILL (1770) 
  • VMR BUNDABERG 
  • If you take your boat out in one of the following VMR areas: Gladstone, Round Hill (1770) or Bundaberg and you need assistance, you will pay the amount determined by the assisting VMR Squadron.   If you are an On-Water or Gold member, then you can claim some or all costs back against your MRHB membership, to the equivalent of what is available on your current MRHB membership (see next bullet point).  
  • If assisted by one of the above listed Squadrons, you will be towed to the closest safe haven and the assisting Squadron will charge you.  You should pay the assisting VMR Squadron and obtain a receipt.   You will be reimbursed, by presentation of your receipt to the MRHB Treasurer and completion of a Reciprocal Rights Reimbursement Form (ADM 16, available from MRHB Admin).  The maximum amount you can be reimbursed is $1,000.  Any cost over $1,000 will be your responsibility. The tow will be counted against your MRHB membership.   

For OTHER squadron members coming to Hervey Bay 

  • Any Volunteer Marine Rescue member of Gladstone, Round Hill (1770) or Bundaberg who requires assistance in the MRHB area will pay us $180 per hour or part thereof (time calculated from when our assist vessel departs MRHB base to the time it returns to base).  Once invoiced and a receipt for payment received, they can then make a claim against their home membership, to the extent that their home membership agrees to cover.
  • This Reciprocal Rights agreement does NOT apply to any Coast Guard members, or to other VMR Squadrons outside of the above listed three (3) Squadrons (VMR Central Zone).
  • If you are a member of a QLD VMR Squadron with whom we do NOT have Reciprocal Rights agreement (see above) and you require assistance in the MRHB area, you will be charged for the activation at the rate of $180 per hour (or part thereof) and there is NO OBLIGATION for your home Squadron to agree to reimbursement.    Members of Squadrons not covered by this Reciprocal Rights agreement may find it better to obtain a 1-month “Visitor” membership of MRHB and gain access to our Visitor Member benefits.

For further information, please contact MRHB Admin at office@mrhb.org.au