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Coastal Patrol Broken Bay is now known as
Marine Rescue Broken Bay
History
The Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1937 and
was
the
oldest and largest volunteer maritime search and rescue organisation
in
Australia.
The Broken Bay Division was part of the
original foundation
organisation and was administered as part of
the Sydney region
command. In October 1947, a separate division
was set up known as
the Broken Bay Division, with Skipper Ray Weingott as its first
Divisional Commander, and was operated
directly from the members'
own private vessels. Since then, the
Division has operated from bases
at Church Point, Royal Prince
Alfred Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht
Club.
The Division
moved to the Royal Motor Yacht Club, in
1992, who
donated the use of two rooms as a Base. They, also, generously
provided berthing facilities for our rescue vessels along with
other
assistance.
On 12th March, 2005, the Division moved to its own premises,
acquired
with the much-appreciated assistance of the Pittwater
Council, within
the grounds of the Bayview Boat Ramp.
The wheelchair-friendly Base boasts a radio room, administration
office, two bunk rooms, galley, and a large education/meeting room.
On 1st January, 2010, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Australian
Volunteer Coast Guard and Volunteer Rescue Association were
unified into one organisation, Marine Rescue NSW.
During the years since its foundation,
the Broken Bay Unit has
provided the radio coverage and
rescue facilities for the boating public
in the area and assisted
in the setting up of three other units as
requirements grew.
These other units are at Gosford, Hawkesbury
and the Radio
Centre at Terrey Hills.
Today, the Unit operates
two
rescue boats ranging from close-
inshore to offshore capability
(see Lifeboats page).
Members of the Unit also assist
the local community by serving on
various committees such as the
Local Emergency Management
Committee and various safety
committees. The Unit is, also,
available to be called out, by
the local Emergency Management
Officers, to assist in all
community emergencies whenever it can help
- even in non-marine
situations.
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