RABY Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue is petitioning the state government to urgently get a breakwater at William Street extended.
A base spokesperson said volunteers had spent about $50,000 fixing damage to vessels caused by rough conditions there.
Commodore Bill Bennett said northerly winds violently shook pontoons used by volunteers and boaties at just 20 knots.
Sand was also deposited around the VMR pontoon by currents in the shallows, which had made it impossible for volunteers to reverse boats in when docking.
The state government and council had planned to extend the existing breakwater this year but the project has been postponed until late 2019.
It was agreed works would be carried out by council, with the project co-funded by state government.
Mr Bennett said the extension needed to get started, with the safety of patients, volunteers and emergency services put at risk in rough conditions.
“We do about 250 medivacs a year and Straddie VMR does about 200,” he said.
“...And often water police will pull up.”
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson, who sponsored Raby Bay VMR’s petition, said it was disappointing no explanation for the delay had been given.
He said safety issues were caused by strong northerly winds, which could damage marine infrastructure.
A council spokesperson said the time taken to get planning approvals from various state government departments had caused the hold-up.
Project costs could not be given as contracts for works had not been finalised.
“Redland City Council signed the original deed for these works in June 2015,” the spokesperson said.
“The term of this deed was for the completion of works by June 2018 unless varied.
“Due to the time taken to obtain planning approvals from various state government departments, the deed was varied in June 2018 in recognition of the delays.”
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the breakwater’s design would be finished by late this month, with works to be completed by October next year.
The spokesperson added that existing infrastructure owned by council, the Volunteer Marine Rescue unit and the Redlands Boat Club were designed and built before the breakwater’s extension was considered.
To sign Raby Bay VMR’s petition to state government for the breakwater to be extended as soon as possible, visit here.