About The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is an organisation composed entirely of volunteers, formed in 1961 to promote safety in the operation of small craft. It guards the coast in the most effective way - initially by education, example, examination and finally by search and rescue.
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard has no law enforcement powers and enjoys a reputation for being helpful and courteous to all boat owners.
Australia, the worlds largest island, has a coastline of 19,650 kilometres (12,210 miles). 90% of Australia's population of 17.5 million live within 120km of the coast and over 70% live in the coastal belt from Cairns in Queensland to Adelaide in South Australia.
Flotillas and radio bases are located from the Skardon River in the Gulf of Carpentaria, down the eastern sea board to Ceduna in South Australia, including Tasmania and major inland lakes and weirs.Expansion is continuing in areas of need.
The AVCG and affiliation owned resources in these areas include:
- 103 rescue vessels
- 147 radio bases under the control of 71 flotillas and 1 Division
- 30 communication and display vans
- 4 fixed wing aircraft
- Qualified divers
Coast Guard services include:
- Radio Monitoring
Each flotilla has radio facilities monitoring many of the marine distress frequencies including 27.88
- Safety Patrols
Association and member owned vessels patrol our waterways assisting the public with safe boating advice, mechanical problems and responding to distress calls when they occur. All rescue vessels are on 24 hour standby.
- Search and Rescue
Coast Guard works closely with the State Water Police and other volunteer rescue organisations in search and rescue operations