The peaceful waters of Ulladulla Harbour have been home to the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol for more than a quarter of a century.

 

But it was a looming war that gave birth to the organisation that now serves this part of the scenic South Coast of NSW.

 

It was 1937 when Commander Rupert Long, then Director of Naval Intelligence, took up the suggestion of recruiting experienced merchant seamen and yachtsmen to form an auxiliary service to the Navy.

 

This small ship service was rapidly approved by the Naval Board and became the Volunteer Coastal Patrol.

 

At the outbreak of war in 1939 the Patrol’s role evolved into one of security and it was used extensively to guard strategic bridges, troop ships and port facilities.

 

Training was stepped up to involve exercises with the Maritime Services Board, NSW Police Department and later the Army.

 

In the years to 1945 members patrolled over 128,000 nautical miles and helped mapping sections of Australia’s 12,000-nm coastline with the Army, particularly to examine beach defences.

 

Peace brought a change to the Patrol’s primary role - but not to its value to the Australian maritime community. It became more focused in the area of marine rescue and is today the oldest and most respected such organisation in Australia.

 

In 1963 it became a company incorporated in NSW and soon after, a registered charity. In 1974 the Queen bestowed the “Royal” prefix and in the same year, the Ulladulla division was formed.

 

From humble backyard beginnings with a dedicated group of local volunteers, it evolved into the high-level marine rescue station it is today.

 

Better known as Coastal Patrol Ulladulla, or CPU, the division now boasts about 80 active members, just over a quarter of whom form the four standby boat crews.

 

It provides a 24-hour radio monitoring and search and rescue service every day of the year. The two vessels, the rapid response 7-metre catamaran Lewis-Dunn and Arun class lifeboat P&O Nedlloyd Encounter, average 50 rescues a year.

 

In the last financial year they helped over 100 people and recovered vessels worth $1.3m.

 

History