St Helens Marine Rescue

22/06/2026

Mariners are advised the SEMI-SUBMERGED VESSEL in Georges Bay was successfully towed to the slipway in St Helens this afternoon.

19/06/2026

SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE Warning to mariners regarding semi-submerged vessel in Georges Bay. A 12-metre fishing vessel has been observed aground inside Georges Bay in the channel along the sea wall. Mariners are advised of the possibility of floating debris and to navigate with caution.

09/06/2026

Simply The Best.

08/06/2026

Well worthwhile vision and a read from IMAS. I witnessed the decline on the east coast in the 1990s.

You might have seen Queen Mary of Denmark holding a lobster in Tasmania recently – and the Royal Couple at the Alum Cliffs on our IMAS research vessel…

Now you can see what lies beneath in this remnant forest near Hobart, which we’ve dubbed the ‘Queen Mary Kelp Forest’.

“Once an iconic feature of Tasmania’s east coast, giant kelp has collapsed from extensive, dense forests up to 30 metres tall, to just a few remnant isolated patches in just a few decades,” IMAS marine ecologist Professor Scott Ling said.

“The collapse has primarily been driven by a strengthening East Australian Current, which has delivered warmer, nutrient-poor waters and an explosion of kelp-eating sea urchins into eastern Tasmania.

“So safeguarding and restoring giant kelp forests is also contingent on controlling urchins – and large predatory lobsters are best qualified to help keep those urchins in check.”

🤿It's tomorrow, so let’s dive into the Queen Mary Kelp Forest, with Professors Scott Ling and Rick Stuart-Smith: https://youtu.be/hEvesizEwy4

🦞 What marine creature was that? To meet the reef species around Queen Mary Kelp Forest and beyond, head to http://bit.ly/4bUJVWn on the Reef Life Survey site.

👑 In case you missed it, read more about the Royal visit to the Alum Cliffs near Hobart: https://tinyurl.com/Royals-visit-IMAS

🤿 Dive into the PADI kelp restoration course: https://eaglehawkdive.com.au/the-giant-kelp-forest/

🌿Help the kelp (without getting wet): you can donate to the research at https://www.utasalumni.org.au/giant-kelp

The IMAS-led giant kelp restoration project is funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species program.

University of Tasmania

06/06/2026

Stunning vision of the crew at work onboard a replacement vessel while their Steber undergoes a facelift.

05/06/2026

Day one of the GFCNT Winter Classic. View from the Base Station.

03/06/2026

NOTICE TO MARINERS. Note the strong wind warning forecast for today,

02/06/2026

Do you live or work in the Break O’Day Council area? Come along to a community discussion and hear how Tasmanian research is serving local needs in understanding present and future coastal risk.

🌊Find out about tidal patterns in Georges Bay, what role Antarctica will play in sea level changes, and how the Natural Hazards Atlas for Tasmania is helping communities to be informed and prepared for future risk.

🔹When: Thursday, 18 June from 7pm to 8.30pm
🔹Where: Panorama Hotel, St Helens
🔹All welcome! No RSVP required.

“In partnership with the Tasmanian SES, three tide gauges were operated for 12 months to measure the water levels in Georges Bay to understand how tides and surges from the ocean interact with river flows from catchment runoff,” said IMAS Research Fellow, Dr Karen Palmer, who led the research.

“The installation timing in March 2021 couldn’t have been more apt, coinciding with a severe low-pressure system that brought flash flooding, strong winds, and an ocean surge, during the higher tides of the spring-neap tidal cycle.

“The measurements provide valuable insights into the likelihood of coastal hazards affecting the low-lying areas surrounding Georges Bay, including inundation, erosion and delayed stormwater drainage.

“As sea levels rise these hazards inevitably occur more frequently, affecting residents, businesses, environmental values, and transport routes around St Helens.”

University of Tasmania Break O'Day Council Climate Futures

29/05/2026

URGENT MESSAGE TO MARINERS FOR WEEKEND SAT 30th and SUNDAY 31st May. The shortage of volunteer radio operators is the result of a dramatic downturn due to health, family and retirements of our dedicated, loyal volunteer radio operators. We are urgently seeking community members to join our volunteers providing essential support to mariners on our waters.

27/05/2026

NOTICE TO MARINERS.