The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is the oldest volunteer marine rescue organisation in Australia.
During the mid-1930’s, the world was becoming increasingly worried about the war clouds gathering over Europe. Australia was no exception to the international concern.
The concept of using experienced merchantmen, naval seamen and yachtsmen as an auxiliary service to the Navy and government maritime authorities in time of conflict, had first been used in Britain at the start of the 20th Century.
Inspired by this example, four visionary Australians believed that an organisation of volunteer yachtsmen, many of whom were experienced merchant and naval seamen, would be extremely beneficial to Australia with its 12,000 nautical miles of coastline.
The four men were Captain Maurice Blackwood DSO RN, Messrs H W G Nobbs and W Giles, and Commander Rupert Long OBE, Director of Naval Intelligence.
Commander Long recommended to the Naval Board that an organisation to be called the Volunteer Coastal Patrol be established. The Naval Board agreed to the concept and today’s Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was born.
Commander Long proposed an organisation using unmarked boats crewed by volunteer seamen with in-depth local knowledge to work with police, military and maritime authorities in matters of national security.
The Coastal Patrol was established on 27 March 1937 and served throughout WWII, charting waterways, patrolling booms, searching for submarines and was part of the Illawarra to Hunter Covering Force training for Australia’s role in the conflict.
The Changing Order
At the conclusion of hostilities, the men of the Volunteer Coastal Patrol had created close personal bonds and a strong spirit of fellowship. The service they had established was restructured into a civilian Search & Rescue role. Among its members, then and now, are former sailors, military personnel, serving and former members of the Water Police, as well as members of other service organisations and people from all walks of life. Coastal Patrol has earned international and national recognition at the highest levels.
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In South Australia.
The Formation of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol started in 1984 with Captain Frank Johns approached Charles Cornish and David Mumford, to work out the Constitution for South Australia. In the same year David Mumford started the Coastal Patrol in Port Victoria in 1985 the Coastal Patrol was incorporated into South Australia. On the 25th of may 1986 Sue Mumford purchased a 6.8m Voyager Vessel, (patrol 5) and was on loan to the Coastal Patrol for Rescue and training operations. This vessel was the full time rescue vessel on the Yorke Peninsula and still in use today.
From there the network has expanded and the group now has Radio Bases at (Point Souttar-Yorketown), Port Victoria,Moorowie, and Back-up Bases at Point Turton,Urania, Port Victoria, Port Gilbert And also 2 mobile radio bases, one being a quick response vehicle in Yorketown And 1 van currently stored at the Port Victoria Division.
The Coastal Patrol owns 3 rescue craft 2 are based at Pt.Victoria & one at Point Turton with members own boats located around the coast for rescue work,
The coverage area for the group on Yorke Peninsula extends from Cape Elizabeth in the North, South around the coast to Port Moorowie, A distance of approximately 250Km.
(In other areas of South Australia please call either the Coast Guard radio bases or S.A. Sea Rescue Squadron)
Over the years the Coastal Patrol has been involved in a number of events such as YP sail boarding Club, The Adelaide Boat Show (1985 - 1991), Port Vincent Classic, Maitland and Minlaton Shows, Blue water Classic (Adelaide - Port Lincoln), Spooner Cup Wooden Boat Club and Greek Night's.
Our annual fund raiser for the year is the fishing Competition on Easter Saturday at Port Victoria.
In 1987 the Coastal Patrol won The NSW Water Police Trophy for the Most Improves Rescue Vessel. This was the first time this award had been won outside of NSW.
In 2011 the Coastal Patrol purchased a 7.1m Huntsman (Patrol 109), which is based at Point Turton.
The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is also available at the Police request to attend any search and rescue on the Yorke Peninsula.
