Coastal Patrol, the oldest voluntary
marine rescue organization in Australia, was formed
nationally on 27th March 1937, at the Navy’s suggestion.
The concept of using experienced merchantmen
and yachtsmen, as an auxiliary service to the Navy and Government maritime
authorities was first formed in Britain at the turn of the century.
With Australia’s 12,000 nautical mile
coastline, the “founders” of the organization, Capt. M. Blackwood, H.W.G.
Nobes, W. Giles and Cmdr. R. Long believed that an organization of volunteer
yachtsmen, many of whom were experienced merchant and naval seamen, would
be extremely beneficial.
Following the Naval Board’s approval
of the concept, the Volunteer Coastal Patrol was established.
By 1941, the Patrol was operating in
three states, with over 2,000 members, and 500 small ships, and playing a
major role in the war effort.
In 1974, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II bestowed the “Royal” prefix and thus the “Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol”
was duly registered.
Local
Patrol Established
On Yorke Peninsula, the Coastal Patrol
was established in 1984 at Port Victoria. From there the network has expanded
and the group now has bases at Port Victoria, Urania, Port Moorowie, Corny
Point, Point Souttar (Monitored at Yorketown) & Point Turton. We also
have two mobile radio and operations units, one a van based at Port Victoria,
the other a ute based at Yorketown.
A Patrol owned rescue craft is based at Port Victoria with many other privately
owned members vessels covering our other bases rescue duties.
The coverage area for our group on Yorke
Peninsula extends from Cape Elizabeth to the north of Port Victoria, south
around the Peninsula to Port Moorowie, an approximate distance of 250 kilometres.
(See Map)
We are also available upon Police request
to attend to an incident anywhere on the Peninsula.
Each year we also are requested to perform
rescue boat duties for the “Port Vincent Classic”, a race held over the three
days of the Australia Day weekend, and also the “Spooner Cup” which is held
at Port Victoria and is raced around Wardang Island.
Local
Patrol Established
A Patrol owned rescue craft is based at Port Victoria with many other privately
owned members vessels covering our other bases rescue duties.
