BOATIES have been warned to take care ahead of gale-force winds, which are set to pummel the state’s coast from Wednesday.
A tropical low, which developed into a cyclone this afternoon, has moved south-west from New Caledonia and is predicted to reach close to Queensland’s southern coast from Wednesday afternoon, bringing large swells and dangerous surf conditions.
Cyclone Linda is unlikely to make landfall but danger still lurks for those out on the water.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged boaties to delay plans until the weather improved.
“The Bureau of Meteorology advises there will be gale-force winds producing large east to south-easterly swells along parts of the southern Queensland coast from Wednesday,” he said.
“This will create extremely dangerous conditions for boaties and anyone going near open beaches along the southern coastline.”
Redland Bay Coast Guard spokeswoman Lynn Neven said she hoped people would heed the advice.
She said the squadron and other rescue groups had been kept busy with boat rescues since late last week and urged boaties to make sure their vessels were securely moored.
Crews were called last Thursday to retrieve a loose houseboat found in mangroves at Moore’s Rock, south of Weinam Creek.
Wet and gusty conditions meant the houseboat could not be towed until the next day.
“The weather was not kind, with wind blowing around 25 knots and the seas were considered rough,” she said.
“If this not enough, it was raining which decreased visibility.”
Ms Neven said SES volunteers cleared mangroves away on Friday to help free the boat, with the vessel later returned to its owner.
Volunteers were also dispatched at 3am on Saturday to help a yacht with a broken mast at Point O’Halloran.
The yacht was towed to Redland City Marina before the boat’s mast and rigging were retrieved with help from Victoria Point VMR.
Winds are considered gale-force between 34 to 47 knots.
For more about Redland Bay Coast Guard, visit here.
