Skipper the Whitsundays

01/02/2026

Glorious Sunday Afternoon in the Whitsundays calls for a Black Anchor

12/01/2026

Attention Mariners:

This message applies to Whitsunday area.

🟢ALL CLEAR – Issued: 0940 HRS

• The Regional Harbour Master has advised the Warning Alerts are now cancelled for Whitsundays.
• These Whitsunday Pilotage Waters are now open to resume operations with status “ALL CLEAR”.
• Mariners are advised to navigate with caution as navigational markers may be damaged or moved during this event.
• Other dangers may be present in the waterways, be aware of potential for debris, unusual currents or subsurface obstructions.
• Be aware particularly navigating near mooring grids for the potential of sunken vessels
• Mariners are encouraged to report navigational hazards, and defective navigates to Vessel Traffic Services on Channels 10, 16 + 67.
• Continue to monitor conditions and stay informed via the Maritime Safety Queensland’s Dashboard https://brnw.ch/21wZ0c6

11/01/2026

Attention Mariners:

This message applies to WHITSUNDAYS AREA and PORT OF MACKAY ONLY.

🟡 ADVICE – RECOVERY UNDERWAY

Issued: 1400 HRS – 11 January 2026

Regional Harbour Master Mackay advises:

- Recovery underway for Whitsundays and Port of Mackay.
- Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has now crossed the coast but a Severe Weather Warning remains in place
- Movements will only be at the instruction of the Regional Harbour Master / Vessel Traffic Services.
- Mariners are advised to navigate with caution as navigational marks may have moved or been damaged during this event.
- Other dangers may be present in the waterways, be aware of potential for debris, unusual currents or subsurface obstructions
- Maritime Safety Queensland officers will commence conducting waterway assessments for navigational safety hazards and impacted vessels.
- For the most current information regarding weather alerts, warnings, and access to pilotage areas and waterways, visit Maritime Safety Queensland’s Dashboard https://qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au/.

10/01/2026

ATTENTION MARINERS: EMERGENCY WARNING - RED ALERT

Issued: 1600 HRS

Regional Harbour Masters have closed the Whitsunday, Abbot Point, Townsville and Bowen Pilotage Area, waterways, marinas, buoy mooring grids and anchorages with destructive winds, swell, rain or flooding forecast within 6 hours.

Act Now:

- Vessels are not to leave their cyclone moorings or marina berths until the official all clear is given by the Regional Harbour Master (some movement may be permitted with prior RHM permission).

- It may now be too late to consider the safety of your vessel and weather conditions may limit the ability of emergency services to assist you should you run into difficulties.

- Ensure your evacuation plan allows for sufficient time to make your way to a shelter ashore.

Orange Alert remains active for Mourilyan and Lucinda. Stay informed via the MSQ Dashboard - https://qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au/

Monitor conditions - https://www.bom.gov.au

Be prepared for extreme weather by consulting contingency plans now: https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Preparing-for-severe-weather

10/01/2026

*UPDATE: The below is no longer the latest advice. Please refer to our most recent posts and the MSQ Dashboard https://qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au/

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ATTENTION MARINERS

*UPDATE* WATCH AND ACT – SEVERE STORM – MONITOR CONDITIONS AND STAY INFORMED

- An ORANGE ALERT - Watch and Act remains current for Whitsunday, Abbot Point, Townsville, Lucinda and Mourilyan.

- For the most current information regarding weather alerts, warnings, and access to pilotage areas and waterways, visit Maritime Safety Queensland’s Dashboard https://qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au/.

- Mariners are encouraged to Prepare, Plan and Follow some simple steps to prevent damage to your boat and others by making time to review MSQ’s ‘Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan’ and relevant appendix for your area. These plans can be found at https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/safety/preparing-for-severe-weather

06/01/2026

31/12/2025

Wishing you all the very best for 2026
Smooth Sailing and Fair Winds to all!

29/12/2025

Can no longer party like it’s 1999

25/12/2025

05/09/2025

Pirates of the Whitsundays 🏴‍☠️
#

18/06/2025