
About Marine Search and Rescue
Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) units across the state play an extremely important role in the safety of boaters around Victoria's coastline, out at sea, and in many of our inland waterways.
MSAR rescue crews are made up entirely of dedicated volunteers, who are trained to national rescue standards. They are often called upon to locate and provide emergency assistance to sinking vessels, vessels with flat batteries and other mechanical problems, or vessels that have run aground. When emergencies arise, MSAR units may also be called upon to perform medical evacuation responses.
MSAR is made up of over 800 volunteers comprising:
- 19 Australia Volunteer Coast Guard flotillas
- 7 Independent MSAR units
- 4 Life Saving Victoria clubs
- 1 State Emergency Service unit
Interested in becoming a Marine Search and Rescue Volunteer?
Please come on board. If you are over the age of 16 and interested in becoming a Marine Search and Rescue Volunteer, please contact MSAR.Office@emv.vic.gov.au (External link) and let us know your name, location and phone number.
There is also a raft of State Emergency Service units across the state that respond to a significant amount of inland marine incidents and responses, particularly on waterways where there is no dedicated service.
Marine Search and Rescue eNews
To keep up to date with the latest information please subscribe to the MSAR eNews. (External link)
The MSAR eNews is published periodically. If you have any stories or photos to add to the newsletter you can email them to MSAR.Office@emv.vic.gov.au (External link).
Editions of MSAR eNews
Latest stories from MSAR
December 2021 edition of the Marine Search and Rescue eNews out now

The MSAR eNews December 2021 edition is now available with the latest news from Victoria's marine search and rescue sector.
View the MSAR eNews December edition (External link).
To subscribe, visit the newsletter page (External link).