General News
6 October, 2026
Innisfail Rescue all at sea
THE commissioning of the Cassowary Coast’s newest rescue vessel has been a day of mixed emotions.
The Innisfail Flotilla (QF15) officially put its new secondary rescue vessel, RV Innisfail Rescue, into service earlier this month.
Flotilla commander Don Alexander said the day carried mixed emotions as the flotilla welcomed its new vessel while retiring its long serving predecessor.
“Today is both a happy and sad day for us at QF15, as we welcome our new vessel ‘Innisfail Rescue’ and retire our existing vessel ‘Zappy,” he said.
Mr Alexander said the new vessel’s name reflected decades of community support.
“The construction of Innisfail Rescue was made possible using funds raised in the Innisfail community over many years. Hence the vessel has been named Innisfail Rescue in recognition of that continued support.”
Long serving flotilla administration officer Kathryn Hunt was chosen to officially name and christen the vessel.
Ms Hunt, who joined the Coast Guard in 2006, has logged more than 5000 hours of radio duty, served over a decade as purser and holds multiple commendations including a National Service Medal, 20 year service recognition, 200 fundraising hours and a Meritorious Service Award for Administration.
The ceremony opened with a welcome from Mr Alexander, followed by the national anthem and an address from Terry Spurrier, North Queensland Squadron Commodore.
Retired Navy chaplain and former QF9 Cairns commander Ian Lindsay delivered prayers and blessed the vessel before Coast Guard national administration commodore Kerri Williams formally commissioned it.
The ceremony concluded with the decommissioning of RV Zappy, a 5.5m centre console inflatable boat commissioned in 2005 and named after founding member Filippo Zappala. If finances allow, the flotilla hopes to retain Zappy as a training vessel.
Purpose built to QF15’s specifications, Innisfail Rescue is a 6.6m NCSV Class 2C vessel powered by twin 115 horsepower Yamaha engines. It replaces Zappy after 21 years of service and features advanced navigation and communication systems including radar, AIS and night vision.
The vessel has a search and rescue capability of about 160 nautical miles at 20 knots in favourable conditions and has reached a top trial speed of 38-plus knots.
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