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.

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.