Role of the Coastal Patrol
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Objectives of the Coastal PatrolThe objectives of the Coastal Patrol include:
a) to encourage mariners and other persons interested in seamanship and safety of life at sea as volunteers for the benefit of the public:
(i) to assist the Patrol in the attainment of its objects;
(ii) to assist public authorities entrusted or connected with the administration or regulation of maritime affairs; and
(iii) to undertake as students and as teachers courses of training in seamanship, radio operation and matters pertaining thereto;
b) to assist or cooperate with any authority concerned or entrusted with the defence of Australia;c) to bring together mariners and all persons interested in small ships so that they might acquire a better understanding of small ships;
d) by precept and example to train and educate mariners so that waterways may be made safer for those who navigate upon them in small ships;
e) to carry out either at the request or the direction of any authority concerned or otherwise maritime rescue work and to train personnel for such work;
f) to carry out any rescue work or other service of a public or community nature; and
g) to do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.
Resources required for Coastal Patrol Operations
To Implement the roles listed above Coastal Patrol Divisions must have, or have access to, the following resources:
a) Marine Radio Bases, properly equipped, that maintain a listening watch on maritime frequencies as required under their ACA licence for Marine Rescue Stations, Limited Coast Stations. In NSW they must also have annual accreditation from State Rescue Board.
b) Licensed Marine Radio Operators with appropriate Coastal Patrol training.
c) Rescue Lifeboats,
Uses of the Rescue Lifeboats
Lifeboats are required for:
• Rescue crew training
• Search and Rescue operations
• Public education course practical training
• Surveillance units for Marine Watch
• Crowd control/safety vessels at special events
• Joint operations/training with other emergency services
• General duty water ambulance service - task specific vessels and crewsUses of Patrol Motor Vehicles/Caravans
Vehicles are used for:
• Mobile Radio Units/SAR operations
• Transport/towing rescue vessels and equipment for fast response
• Mobile public relations displaysInteragency Liaisons
Implementation of the Coastal Patrol roles requires that both National Office and Divisions of the Patrol liaise closely with:
• State Police, especially the Water Police, in providing marine search and rescue services, for which the Patrol’s chain of Marine Rescue Radio Bases are a vitally important element
• The State Government authority responsible for the administration of ports and waterways;
• State Ambulance authorities in maintaining Patrol Water Ambulance Lifeboats where deemed appropriate,
• State Headquarters of the Royal Australian Navy in each State in connection with the Patrol’s Naval Support roles
• State Fire and Rural Fire Authorities, both for implementation of fire fighting facilitiesNational Headquarters liaises with Naval Support Command Headquarters and with many other Federal and State Authorities.