History of the Coastal Patrol

Born in the Shadow of Wartime

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.

Fellowship of Heroes

Over 100 Coastal Patrol members have received Australian Government Awards for Service to the Community which include 16 Order of Australia Medals (OAM), 10 Emergency Service Medals (ESM), 20 Centenary Medals, 59 National Medals (including 8 with single clasp and 2 with double clasp) and group citations.  4 State Government Meritorious Awards have also been made to members.

A Remarkably Valuable Community Resource

Since 1945 members have given an estimated 36.8 million duty hours conservatively valued at $442 million to the Australian people.

Today there are more than 1,500 men and women of the Coastal Patrol who volunteer their time and skill to provide an annual average of over 700,000 personnel hours at an estimated value of more than $14 million each year to the community.

Patrons

The Coastal Patrol has enjoyed support and patronage at the highest level ever since its establishment. Today its patrons are:

Patron-in-Chief:
HRH, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, AC

Patron - Australia:
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN

Patron – New South Wales:
NSW Commissioner for Police, Andrew Scipione APM