The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association

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.

Use the Location Map below, to find the Coast Guard base in your area.

Learn more about this unique Volunteer Organisation

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association is the largest single volunteer marine rescue and marine education organisation in the Southern Hemisphere.

Coast Guard services include:

Radio Monitoring
Each flotilla has radio facilities monitoring many of the marine distress frequencies including 27meg, VHF and HF

Safety Patrols
Association 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

Log On - Log Off
Coast Guard Radio Bases will keep track of recreational boaters whilst on a coastal passage or moving in and out of the same port

Boating Safety
Is promoted through Education - Example - Examination and finally by Search and Rescue

Public Education Courses
Covering Boat license testing and safe boating seminars [where applicable], Basic Seamanship, Marine Radio Procedures, Navigation and Bar Crossing

Training
Coast Guard is the only dedicated marine rescue Registered Training Organisation with courses accredited nationally

The Association has at its disposal
103 rescue vessels
147 radio bases under the control of 71 Flotillas and 1 Division
30 communication and display vans

Coast Guard has affiliations with
Country Fire Authority - VIC
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
NSW State Emergency Services
Customs - Aust
Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary
Royal NZ Coast Guard Federation
US Coast Guard Auxiliary