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Marine Rescue NSW is a modern emergency service whose history stretches back much further than its establishment in 2009.

Today, this is the pre-eminent volunteer marine rescue service in Australia, recognised for the experience and expertise of our people and the quality of its rescue fleet, equipment and training.

Marine Rescue NSW was formally established on July 1, 2009 and the members took to the water and the airwaves as a new, unified service on January 1, 2010.

We are fortunate to be able to draw on a depth of skill and knowledge of the volunteers from the three services that merged in 2009 to create our organisation: the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association marine fleet.

The Volunteer Coastal Patrol was formed in 1937, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association in 1961 and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association marine fleet in 1969.

The volunteers who gave their time, commitment and usually their own boats to serve their community surely could not have envisaged the world class fleet, technology and diverse membership that MRNSW enjoys today.

Our 3,200-plus inspirational volunteers are the heartbeat of MRNSW, giving their time, energy and commitment to serve the community.

They are trusted and reassuring emergency services personnel, serving with skill and determination, no matter how rough the seas or dark the radio watch. Our volunteers are professionally trained and resourced for our mission of saving lives on the water, operating as a coordinated team, each in their own specific roles, to protect and assist the boating community.

MRNSW is a Registered Training Organisation, ensuring our volunteers are trained to strict national standards to develop the skills and competencies required for their specific roles.

Our rescue vessel crews are equipped with state-of-the-art vessels for their life-saving work to respond to emergencies and other incidents on the water, returning thousands of boaters home safely each year and providing operational support to a range of community events and celebrations on the iconic Sydney Harbour and regional waterways.

Our radio operators monitor the airwaves around-the-clock for emergency calls from boaters in distress and dispatch rescue teams in response to emergencies and other incidents. They maintain vital communications during rescue operations and also provide a range of essential safety services: operating the State’s only Log On service for boaters, broadcasting regular weather reports and safety and navigation alerts and performing radio checks for boaters to test their equipment is in good working order.

Every frontline team needs a support crew. MRNSW volunteers also take on important unit training, management, fundraising, maintenance, catering and other administrative roles needed to maintain operational standards and readiness.

WE SAVE LIVES ON THE WATER

This is our mission, 24 hours a day, every day. The boating community can be confident that when they call for help, a professionally trained and equipped crew will be quickly under way. This year, we launched 3,905 rescue missions, returning 8,918 boaters and 81 pets safely to shore.