The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is oldest in Australia
The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RCVP) is the oldest maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation in Australia and the Central Coast Division the largest unit in NSW.
The Division has a stand-by base at Ettalong Beach and a base at Terrigal Haven, both operational each weekend for marine radio monitoring.
The RCVP also provides marine education at its Point Clare base.
The RCVP concept is to have a body of experienced merchantmen and yachtsmen as an auxiliary to the Navy and Government maritime authorities.
The concept was first presented to the Naval Board who agreed and the Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1937.
The Coastal Patrol was granted Royal patronage by Her Majesty the Queen in 1973 and became the RCVP.
The organisation structure, ranks and discipline were based on Navy lines.
Training was taken from Admiralty courses.
Most of the instructors in those early days were Naval personnel who donated their 'off duty' time.
Coastal Patrol members used their own boats for Coastal Patrol duties.
The first task given to the Volunteer Coastal Patrol in 1939 was to establish a security watch on the Hawkesbury ' River bridge, which was considered a vital rail link with the north.
During World War II, Coastal Patrol had over 2000 members in three states with 500 small craft operating.
After the war it was felt that the organisation could be of considerable use as an education and search and rescue facility for the increasing numbers of the community participating in recreational boating.
RVCP maintains close touch with other maritime rescue organisations throughout the world to find solutions to the common problems confronting all maritime SAR units.
RVCP Central Coast Division was formed in 1971, initially operating from a caravan radio base on the Waterfront at Gosford near the breakwall.
The Division soon moved to its own premises on land provided by Gosford City Council on the Waterfront Reserve, at the end of Kurrawa Avenue, Point Clare.
Central Coast Division has over 100 members.
The Division monitors the marine radio bands for 12 hours daily Monday to Thursday, and has continuous 24-hour marine radio coverage on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Trained volunteer Search and Rescue crews are available either on call or, on duty at the base, for the Patrol rescue lifeboat 24 hours a day, every day of every week.
The men and women of RVCP provide an outstanding community service.
The Central Coast Division is almost totally self funded.
To provide the community services, the Patrol must raise about $35,000 each year for operating costs, including about $10,000 for fuel for the vessel.
Additionally, funds are needed for capital expenditure to replace old or worn out equipment.
The major role of RVCP today is maritime SAR, with maritime education and radio communication as complementary support services.
Education has always been a key element of RVCP policy.
Education is better than legislation, and those with knowledge and experience rarely have to be rescued at sea.
Those with knowledge are better prepared and go to sea in safety.
Central Coast Division offers inexpensive marine education courses open to the public from the Point Clare base on Marine Radio Operation, Seamanship, Seamen's Meteorology, Basic Navigation and Coastal Navigation.
The Radio Operator's Course encourages the use of marine radio transceivers, and trains boat owners in the correct use of the radio transceiver that assists in the safety of their crew and passengers.
The Seamanship Course assists those who go to sea understand the power of the ocean and its 'moods' and the many techniques of safe handling of boats and their accessories.
Information on the courses is available by calling the patrol on 4325 7929 any day between 6am and6pm.
RVCP members are encouraged to hold a First Aid Certificate, and this is compulsory for seagoing SAR crews.
The challenge for RVCP today is threefold: first to cope with the increased use of the waterways, often by inexperienced people; second to use new technology efficiently; and third, to continue to raise enough funds each and every year to maintain operations.
Community support for RVCP demonstrates that the public accepts and acknowledges the need for, and the role that, the Patrol plays in safety on the water.
Members are justifiably proud of RVCP's record and enjoy the camaraderie of membership and just 'messing about with boats'.
For more information, contact Ron Cole 4324 8742 or go to the RCVP home page at www.readytorun.com.au/centaco.
John Weesen
Divisional Commander