History of Marine Rescue
on the Central Coast
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Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1937. It was the firstt maritime Search and Rescue organisation in Australia and became the largest Search and Rescue group in NSW. The Patrol was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1973.
Central Coast Division of the Patrol was formed on 1st August 1971, following a meeting called on 14 June at the Aquatic Club (now Iguana Joes) to determine local interest and support. Initially the Division operated its marine radio services from a caravan on the waterfront at Gosford adjacent to the old Aquatic Club in Gosford Boat Harbour.
Central Coast Division moved to its present location in Goodaywang Reserve, at the end of Kurrawa Avenue, Pt 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 Division had outgrown its original building and additions were made including a boatshed/workshop, a training room and a small office for the Division Commander.Mandatory changes to volunteer training requirements lead to a need for further additions and changes in 2004. These included a new roof, replacing 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, Member for Robertson, opened the completed renovations on 12 June 2004.
Soon after its move to the Pt Clare site, Central Coast Division took over responsibility of the Terrigal Haven Radio Base from RVCP Broken Bay Division. Central Coast Division began operations at Terrigal Haven on 26 December 1976 as ‘Coastal Patrol Terrigal’. This was in addition to its operations at the principal base at Pt Clare.
During 1979 and 1980 the Division took care of 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 Base on the 26 July 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 renewed marine radio base officially opened in January 1998 by Jim Lloyd MP.
Initially Central Coast Division provided marine radio monitoring only on weekends, but as demand and Patrol membership grew the radio monitoring expanded to 7 days a week. At first all search and rescue activities were carried using private vessels owned by members. At one stage the Division had 12 privately owned vessels on its ships register.
In 1988 the Division purchased its first corporate vessel, a 7.3m De Havilland Trojan, designated Centaco 1. The vessel was purchased second hand. All refurbishing and fit-out was undertaken by the members. Eventually Hi Torque Marine provided sponsorship and Centaco 1 became ‘Hi Torque Rescue’ until she was sold in 2001 following launch of a custom built replacement vessel.
Central Coast Division signed a contract for a 'in survey' purpose built plate aluminium lifeboat in 2000. The new Gosford lifeboat, ‘Spirit of Federation’ began her sea trials on 24 November 2000 and was officially commissioned for Patrol service 26 July 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's bottom plating and ladder frames. The vessel's hull was unable to be repaired safely and was scrapped.
The Division had no choice but to replace the hull. Once the required 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 was accepted by the Division after sea trials in April 2008.
During April 2000 the Division was authorised by the State Rescue Board to operate 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 designated 'Centaco 3'. By 2006 the demand for the Division's services was such that it commissioned a replacement for Centaco 3.
On the 22nd November 2006 a 5.9m Category 1 Lifeboat, 'Brisbane Water Lifeboat' (Centaco 2) joined the Central Coast Division fleet. This lifeboat is powered by a Yanmar turbo diesel engine (250 HP) with a Hamilton Jet for propulsion. Centaco 3 was initially retained for use as a training vessel to help new members become familiar with boat handling and our local waterway. This hard worked vessel was finally retired from service in June 2010.
To better maintain our lifeboat 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 Pt 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 a 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.
At 0600 hrs on 1 January 2010, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, including Central Coast Division ceased all operational activities. Coastal Patrol members and assets transferred to the newly formed Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW that began operational duties on that date and at that time. Central Coast Unit of MRNSW commenced on that day. The change was as a result of the acceptance of the findings of the 'Price Report' undertaken on behalf of the NSW Government that recommended that all three NSW volunteer marine rescue organisations in NSW be integrated into a single government supported Marine Rescue Organisation. The change was endorsed by the members of the Patrol.
Central Coast is proud of its history with Coastal Patrol and looks forward to its future as a Unit of Marine Rescue NSW.
In June, the Member for Gosford, Marie Andrews, presented a $5000 helping hand from the State Government the Central Coast Unit of Marine Rescue NSW. Marie Andrews said, “This $5000 Government grant will assist with the installation of a solar energy system at the Point Clare Base. A solar energy unit will help provide cost‑efficient power for the operation of the unit's radio room and boat lifts for its two rescue vessels". The Unit sought assistance from Marie Andrews who made representations to Emergency Services Minister, Steve Whan, on behalf of the Central Coast Unit.
The 2.1kW twelve panel PV solar unit supplied and installed by SolarSave was connected to the grid by Energy Australia on 7 September. The solar unit will assist contain energy costs into the future.
As at Sept 2010, Marine Rescue Central Coast has more than 120 members who give freely of time as volunteers to provide radio monitoring 12 hours daily seven days a week from 0600 to 1800 hours. The Rescue Vessel Boat Crews are on call 24 hours a day all year round.
