History of the Coastal Patrol

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Born in the Shadow of Wartime

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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The Changing Order

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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.

 

In South Australia.

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The Formation of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in South Australia 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.

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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 first full time rescue vessel on the Yorke Peninsula.

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​From there the network has expanded and the group now has Radio Bases at Yorketown, Port Victoria and a Back-up Radio Base at the Point Turton HQ, The Coastal Patrol also has 3 mobile radio bases, one being a quick response vehicle in Yorketown And 2 vans one at Point Turton the other being in Port Victoria.

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​The Coastal Patrol owns 3 rescue craft 2 are based at Pt. Victoria & one at Point Turton.

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​The Coastal Patrol's main coverage area on the Yorke Peninsula is from Cape Spencer in the South to Cape Elizabeth in the North.

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​In 2011 the Coastal Patrol purchased a 7.1m Huntsman (Patrol 109), which is based at Point Turton.

Later in 2026 we will receive our 1st brand new rescue vessel at Point Turton.

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The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is also available at the Police request to attend any search and rescue on the Yorke Peninsula.