RVCP National Statistics 2007

To fulfil its commitment to SOLAS, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol operates 25 bases and 46 lifeboats in coastal NSW between Cape Byron and Eden.  These are staffed by some 1500 skilled volunteers whose activities, in addition to Search and Rescue, also cover a wide range of other services to the boating community. Coastal Patrol maintains a general marine radio watch (24/7 in most locations), radio safety watch over vessels making passage along the coast, regular broadcasts of weather reports from the Bureau or Meteorology, Log-on/Log-off radio safety service for vessels on day trips, boating education courses for Coastal Patrol members and the general public, and provision of crewed rescue lifeboats to assist the authorities at a variety of events. These range from gala days on Sydney Harbour such as the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Australia Day as well as special events in other areas including the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Race and Canoe Classic. Coastal Patrol radio bases also provide mandatory radio checks and daily ‘skeds’ for several major ocean races. 

Search & Rescue
Vessels rescued or assisted 
Persons rescued or assisted
Estimated value of rescued/assisted vessels
Incidents that happened offshore
Incidents that happened in enclosed waters        

1,384
3,169
$63,514,000.00
32.9%
67.1%
Incidents
May Days
Pan Pans
Sinking
Fire on Board
Searches
Medical
Capsized
Stranded
Adrift
Mechanical (break down)
Out of Fuel 
Flat Battery 
Number of vessels towed 


9
139
43
7
191
69
45
148
97
644
95
132
801

Vessel Types Assisted
Under 6m  
6 to 9m       
9 to 12m  
Over 12m   


724
305
171
82

Radio
Radio contacts across all frequencies               
Off-Shore Vessel Tracking   
Number of Logged Day Trips     
Number of persons on board for day trips   


265,292
4,960 vessels
45,711
166,185

Our Lifeboats….
Steamed                                                          
Fuel used                                                         
Fuel costs                                                         
6,040 hours
108,934 litres
$157,175.29

Coastal Patrol Personnel Hours
Radio listening watch hours
Lifeboat manning hours
Maintenance hours
Administration hours
Fund Raising hours


187,733 hours
349,951 hours
12,610 hours
 86,448 hours
37,198 hours

Education Courses
Number of courses held  
RVCP Students 
Members of the Public


576
2,470
1,096

Please forward any inquiries to the Coastal Patrol Head Office.

CDRE Peter Phillipson ESM
Officer Commanding
Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol

Released:  February 2008