Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol SA Inc. - Point Turton Division

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Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol SA Inc. - Point Turton Division

Volunteer Marine Rescue Group - Based at Point Turton with it's Main Radio Base Located in Yorketown. The Coastal Patrol owns 3 rescue craft 2 are based at Pt.

In the 1936 Commander Rupert Long, OBE,RAN, Director of the Naval Intelligence raised with retired Captain Maurice Blackwood, DSO, RN the possibility of raising a group of trained yachtsmen as a Naval Auxiliary Service. Discussions were held with HWG Nobbs and W Giles, both Sydney yachtsmen and a proposal sent to the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board that a Volunteer Coastal Patrol be establish under the command of Captain Blackwood. The Naval Board supported this and on the 27th of March 1937 the Volunteer Coastal Patrol was established under the command of Captain Blackwood, DSO, RN (rtd) With H.W.G Nobbs as Staff Officer Operations and W Giles as Staff Officer Administration. During WWII Coastal Patrol member’s special constables and guarded commercial wharves, oil installations and bridges additional divisions were quickly formed in various ports of NSW and Victoria and by December 1940, the Patrol had some of 500 vessels and 2,000 members on its register. Captain Blackwood resigned to take up the post of Commodore of Convoys and died while on convoy duty. HWG Nobbs was appointed his successor in 1941, acknowledging its indebtedness; the NSW government awarded the Coastal Patrol the authority of a State Department. The first and until recent years the only organisation ever to have received such an honour the Victoria and the South Australia governments later followed suit and granted Coastal Patrol the Blue Ensigns of their respective states. By WWII ended, Coastal Patrol vessels had patrolled 128,000miles of harbour and coastal waters and donated 393,000 man hours of unpaid war service The Water Police awarded a special commissioned pennant to the Coastal Patrol in recognition of this service. This pennant, in diagonal cantons, bears the word “Nemesis” Members craft now fly this pennant at the yardarm to signify that they are vessels of the Coastal Patrol, ready and willing to give help whenever it is required. Post war development saw the Coastal Patrol undertake civilian search and rescue operations as their primary role but maintain their original RAN inspired organisation structure, ranks and uniform. 1955 saw the patrol become as incorporated compony and the articles of association written. In 1970, HWG Nobbs, one of the founders and former commanding officer, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Honours and later in 1974, Her Majesty the Queen granted the Coastal Patrol the privilege of adding the “royal” prefix to its title when it became the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol.

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In South Australia. The Formation of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol 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 ESM started the Coastal Patrol in Port Victoria. 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. From there the network has expanded and the group now has Radio Bases at Yorketown, Port Victoria and also 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. Victoria & one at Point Turton. The coverage area for the group on Yorke Peninsula extends from Cape Elizabeth in the North, South around the coast to Cape Spencer (Innes National Park). (In other areas of South Australia please call either the Coast Guard radio bases or S.A. Sea Rescue Squadron)

Over the years the Coastal Patrol has been involved in a number of events such as YP sail boarding Club, The Adelaide Boat Show (1985 - 1991), Port Vincent Classic, Maitland and Minlaton Shows, Blue water Classic (Adelaide - Port Lincoln), Spooner Cup Wooden Boat Club and Greek Night's. Our annual fund raiser for the year is the fishing Competition on Easter Saturday at Port Victoria. In 1987 the Coastal Patrol won The NSW Water Police Trophy for the Most Improves Rescue Vessel. This was the first time this award had been won outside of NSW. In 1999 the Coastal Patrol received a grant from the government to purchase a 1997 Toyota Troop Carrier for the towing of Patrol 5. In 2003 the Patrol received another grant to purchase a 7.4m Clayton (Patrol 6) with a 230 Volvo Penta and a year later in 2004 the Patrol received $37,000 to build a 75ft x 40ft shed to house the new Patrol 6 and Patrol 5. In 2009 Alpha Industries erected a 40ft extension on the southern end of the shed, as part donation received for numerous rescues over the years. In 2011 the Coastal Patrol purchased a 7.1m Huntsman (Patrol 109), which is based at Point Turton. In 2017 the new Coastal Patrol vessel was delivered and commissioned. Through the Volunteer Marine Rescue vessel replacement program and with SA Government funding and Coastal Patrol funds we were provided with an 8.1m Nautic Star Custom Rescue Vessel. The vessel is equipped with a full complement of communications and navigation equipment including radar and FLIR. (Forward Looking Infra-red camera). The vessel is powered by a Yanmar 315HP turbo charged diesel inboard motor and has a top speed of 35 knots and a range of 200 nautical miles. The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is also available at the Police request to attend any search and rescue on the Yorke Peninsula.

02/03/2026

As of 03/03/26, the issue appears to have been resolved. If you experience simultaneous interference on VHF Marine Channels 16 and 67, this may indicate a recurrence of the fault.

Our Yorketown Radio Base is currently operating normally, with no interference detected, and is fully back on air.

20/02/2026

A Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX) was held by our counterparts in the West Beach (Adelaide) area Friday night 20/02/26.

The exercise, conducted under the auspices of the State Marine Rescue Committee, is designed to build interoperability between groups and ensure preparedness for when, not ‘if’, a multi-agency response to a marine emergency is required.

The exercise was held between approximately 6.30pm and 10.00pm.

Pictured are the Rescue Vessels involved & the AIS tracking of the search area covered by the 4 Volunteer Marine Rescue vessels from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard & SA Sea Rescue Squadron, all back at the West Beach ramp at approx. 9.30pm.

Surf Life Saving SA were also involved, but no AIS tracking available.

Bravo Zulu everyone involved.
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Vessel photos supplied by Adelaide Emergency Media

AIS tracking images supplied by our Coastal Patrol Yorketown radio base.
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Would you like to learn more about our Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Group? Visit our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at www.coastalpatrol.org

13/02/2026

One of the advanced features on our new Stabicraft 2350 Supercab rescue vessel, arriving later in 2026, is FLIR technology.

FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) thermal imaging cameras are heavily used on rescue vessels across Australia to enhance search and rescue (SAR) capabilities, particularly for locating people in the water, unlit vessels, or hazards in total darkness or poor visibility. These systems are frequently integrated with navigation, radar, and AIS systems.

Find out more about FLIR here: https://marine.flir.com/en-gb/marine-cameras
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Would you like to learn more about our Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Group? Visit our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at www.coastalpatrol.org

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10/02/2026

A good turn out for our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division February 2026 meeting. :-)

Join now and get qualified as a Rescue Vessel Crew Member, Rescue Vessel Skipper, or Radio Operator before our new rescue vessel arrives later in 2026.

Not keen on heading out to sea? No problem—we’ll also be offering land-based Radio Operator roles from our Point Turton HQ radio room later in the year. Or if fundraising is more your thing, we can always use extra members at our famous sausage sizzles 😊

All operational roles require official training.
Radio Operators must hold an SROCP (or equivalent/higher qualification such as LROCP). Training and exams for Radio Operators are provided by the Coastal Patrol, while Rescue Vessel Crew and Skipper training is delivered by the SA SES Marine Operations Unit.

Membership costs only $10 annually, and your uniform will be supplied free of charge once you’re operational.

Contact details are on our website www.coastalpatrol.org

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04/02/2026

The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol SA Inc. - Port Victoria Division Fishing Competition is coming up on the 4th April 2026.

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Visit the main Coastal Patrol website for information on both our Port Victoria & Point Turton Divisions: www.coastalpatrol.org.au

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30/01/2026

Do you want to help with tracking shipping around the coast, including Rescue Vessels, Bulk Carriers, Yachts & more.

I know more stations are required down the bottom end of the Yorke Peninsula in SA around the coast from The Pines To Marion Bay to Edithburgh as no MarineTraffic AIS receiving stations are currently in those areas, but if you are in any other area close to the coast or at a location with a view of the ocean or a river it is well worth applying for a receiver as well.

Join the world’s largest AIS terrestrial network! MarineTraffic constantly works towards further improving its coverage by expanding its network of AIS-receiving stations. Become a contributor to this project by installing your own station and sharing your data with MarineTraffic. In many cases, MarineTraffic may be able to provide you with high-quality AIS equipment for free! All you have to supply is power (very little used) & Internet (also very little used).

If you are interested in contributing to the collection of AIS Data, please submit the following form: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/join-us/free-receiver-application

Please Enter Reference Number: REF01443 in the Installation details box on the application form as this helps them track applications.

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Would you like to learn more about our Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Group? Visit our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at www.coastalpatrol.org

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17/01/2026

At approximately 7:40 pm on 17/1/26, our Coastal Patrol Point Turton rescue vessel was tasked to assist a person who was being blown out to sea on an inflatable dinghy from Flaherty’s Beach.

Our crew launched rescue vessel Patrol 109 and proceeded to the Flaherty’s Beach area. The person was located and safely transported back to the Point Turton boat ramp, where an ambulance crew was on standby to assess for hypothermia and other exposure-related conditions.

The task was completed successfully, and the rescue vessel was back in the shed at 9:19 pm.

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Would you like to learn more about our Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Group? Visit our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at www.coastalpatrol.org
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16/01/2026

Thank You Fraser Ellis MP - Member for Narungga for visiting us at Point Turton on Thursday 15/01/26, Fraser dropped in to personally thank Life Member Colin Mason on his 40 Years of Volunteering with the Coastal Patrol & to also have a chat with Life Member Rob Elsdon, Divisional Commander Ian Johnson & Second in charge at Point Turton Mike Maidment about our new rescue vessel that will be arriving later in 2026.

We can now officially announce our new Rescue Vessel at Coastal Patrol Point Turton will be a Customised 2C surveyed 7.17m (23.5ft) Stabicraft 2350 Supercab with Twin Yamaha 4 Stroke 150hp outboards, Coaming Dive Door (for easy access, no more climbing over the side), some other features included will be FLIR (forward looking infra-red) for night vision, Radar, Touch screen navigation, State of the art radio communications, AVL (Automatic Vessel Location) & AIS (Automatic Identification System) for vessel tracking & more. 🛟🚤😀

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Stabicraft 2350 Supercab: https://stabicraft.com/the-boats/2350-supercab/
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Would you like to learn more about our Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Group? Visit our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at www.coastalpatrol.or

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15/01/2026

13/01/2026

Thank you for your valued donation made securely via our website.

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If you would like to support us, you can always make a donation via our secure website, just go to the 'Donate' page on our Coastal Patrol Point Turton Division website at: www.coastalpatrol.org

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Address

Shed 1, 68 Esplanade
Point Turton, SA
5575

Telephone

+61455111263

Website

http://www.coastalpatrol.org/

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Our Story

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. * In South Australia. The Formation of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol 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 in 1985 the Coastal Patrol was incorporated into South Australia. 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 full time rescue vessel on the Yorke Peninsula and still in use today. From there the network has expanded and the group now has Radio Bases at (Point Souttar-Yorketown), Port Victoria,Moorowie, and Back-up Bases at Point Turton,Urania, Port Victoria, Port Gilbert And also 2 mobile radio bases, one being a quick response vehicle in Yorketown And 1 van currently stored at the Port Victoria Division. The Coastal Patrol owns 3 rescue craft 2 are based at Pt.Victoria & one at Point Turton with members own boats located around the coast for rescue work, The coverage area for the group on Yorke Peninsula extends from Cape Elizabeth in the North, South around the coast to Port Moorowie, A distance of approximately 250Km. (In other areas of South Australia please call either the Coast Guard radio bases or S.A. Sea Rescue Squadron) Over the years the Coastal Patrol has been involved in a number of events such as YP sail boarding Club, The Adelaide Boat Show (1985 - 1991), Port Vincent Classic, Maitland and Minlaton Shows, Blue water Classic (Adelaide - Port Lincoln), Spooner Cup Wooden Boat Club and Greek Night's. Our annual fund raiser for the year is the fishing Competition on Easter Saturday at Port Victoria. In 1987 the Coastal Patrol won The NSW Water Police Trophy for the Most Improves Rescue Vessel. This was the first time this award had been won outside of NSW. In 2011 the Coastal Patrol purchased a 7.1m Huntsman (Patrol 109), which is based at Point Turton. The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is also available at the Police request to attend any search and rescue on the Yorke Peninsula.