Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1937, and was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix by Her Majesty  Queen Elizabeth 2 on 19 September 1973. By 2009 Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was the oldest maritime Search and Rescue organisation in Australia and the largest marine Search and Rescue group in NSW.

Central Coast Division of  Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was formed on August 1, 1971, following a meeting called on June 14 to determine local interest and support. Initially the Division operated its marine radio services from a caravan on the waterfront at Gosford adjacent to Iguana Joe’s at that time the site of the Aquatic Club.

Marine Rescue NSW was formed on July 1, 2009 with the adoption of its constitution by the Facilitation Group of representatives of Coastal Patrol, Coast Guard and VRA – Marine. It is a company limited by guarantee and is endorsed by the NSW Government.

On January 1, 2010 at 0600 hours Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol ceased to exist as an operational entity. At that time all operational activity became the responsibility of the newly established Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW). RVCP Central Coast, as well as all other RVCP Divisions became an operational unit of MRNSW, named ‘Central Coast’. All members and assets were transferred to the control of MRNSW.

Central Coast moved to its present location in Goodaywang Reserve, at the end of Kurrawa Avenue, Point Clare in 1974, on land provided by permissive occupancy from the Dept of Lands and with agreement from Gosford City Council.

The original building was constructed with help from the Federal Government’s ‘Red Scheme’ (a work-for-the dole programme). Barry Cohen MP officially opened the marine radio base on 16 August 1975. By 1994, the Unit had outgrown its original building and additions were made including a boatshed/workshop, a training room and a small office for the Commander.

Mandatory changes to volunteer training requirements led to a need for further additions and changes in 2004. These included a new roof to replace the original asbestos fibro, enlarged training facilities, an additional toilet, washroom, workshop, and a bunkroom. Fifty percent of the $112,000 cost for these changes was provided from an Australian Government grant from its Regional Partnerships Programme. Jim Lloyd MP opened the completed renovations on June 12, 2004.

Soon after its move to the Point Clare site, Central Coast took over responsibility of the Terrigal Haven Radio Base from Broken Bay Division. Central Coast began operations at Terrigal Haven on December 26, 1976 as ‘Coastal Patrol Terrigal’, in addition to its operations at the principal Point Clare base.

During 1979 and 1980 the Unit was responsible for the MV Krait that had been restored by Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol members and was used as a training vessel by the Patrol.

Disaster struck Terrigal Haven Base on July 26, 1996. The entire building and its contents were destroyed by fire. Like phoenix, and after a lot of hard work by the members, a new building rose from the ashes. The new marine radio base was officially re-opened in January 1998 by Jim Lloyd MP.

Initially, Central Coast provided marine radio monitoring only on weekends, but as recreational boating expanded demand grew. The Division membership was expanded and radio monitoring service extended to 7 days a week. At first all search and rescue activities were carried out using private vessels owned by members. At one stage the Division had 12 privately owned vessels on its ships’ register.

In 1988 Central Coast purchased its first corporate vessel, a 7.3m De Havilland Trojan, named Centaco 1. The vessel was second hand. All refurbishing and fit-out was undertaken by the members. A local marine retailer, Hi Torque Marine of West Gosford provided sponsorship and Centaco 1 became ‘Hi Torque Rescue’ until she was sold in 2001 following launch of a replacement rescue vessel.

Central Coast signed a contract for a ‘in survey’ purpose-built lifeboat in 2000. The new Gosford lifeboat, ‘Spirit of Federation’ began her sea trials on November 24, 2000 and was officially commissioned for Patrol service on July 26, 2001. The 7.5m vessel had a 310 HP Yanmar turbo diesel with Hamilton Jet power and was accredited as a Category 2 Marine Rescue Unit by the NSW State Rescue Board. In October 2007, during a refit, terminal electrolysis was found in the vessel bottom plating and ladder frames. The vessel’s hull was unable to be repaired to survey standard and as a result was scrapped.

The Unit had no choice but to replace the hull. Once the required State Rescue Board paperwork was completed and funds raised a new hull was ordered from Seatamer Marine Manufacturing at Redhead. The Yanmar turbo diesel, Hamilton jet, gearbox and much of the safety equipment from ‘Spirit of Federation’ was incorporated into ‘Central Coast Lifeboat’. The vessel was built to 2C Survey Standard and after sea trials, was accepted by the Division in April 2008.

During April 2000 Central Coast was authorised by the State Rescue Board to operate a second rescue vessel, a Category 1 (inshore) lifeboat. The Division reconditioned a 4.3m Quintrex Punt fitted with a 30 HP Outboard to meet the SRB’s requirements. The lifeboat was named Centaco 3. By 2006 the demand for the Divisions services was such that it commissioned a replacement for Centaco 3.

On November 22, 2006 a 5.90m Category 1 rescue vessel named ‘Brisbane Water Lifeboat’ joined the Central Coast fleet. This lifeboat is powered by a Yanmar turbo diesel engine (250 HP) with a Hamilton Jet for propulsion. Centaco 3 was retained for use as a training vessel to help new members become familiar with boat handling and the features of our local waterways.

To better maintain our lifeboats and ensure they are always ‘ready for action’ the Division successfully sought a dollar for dollar grant from Dept of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) for two ‘Boat Lifts’. These vertical lifts are installed beside the Division jetty at Point Clare and enable the lifeboats to be raised out of the water when not in use.

The Division also received help from DAFF and the Rotary Club of Gosford to install an 8 KVA 240 volt emergency generator so that the radio base is able to maintain its services during blackouts and storm emergencies. The Rotary Club of Gosford and Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club combined to assist the Division install a 20m bi-fold radio mast to help improve radio communications. In 2009 the Point Clare base Mess Room was air-conditioned, and its entry made ‘disabled’ friendly.

MRNSW – Central Coast has over 100 members who give freely of time as volunteers to provide radio monitoring from 0600 until 1800 hours seven days a week. Boat crews are on duty for the rescue vessels 24 hours a day. The Unit continues its proud tradition of service to the community helping ensure ‘Safety of Life at Sea’