Marine Search and Rescue

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.

MSAR structure

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).