THERE are 36 volunteer marine rescue groups situated along Western Australia’s 13,000km coastline. From Rockingham in the west to Esperance in the south to Kununurra in the north, they all work towards protecting life at sea.

Of the total number of groups, 33 have been formally approved under the FESA Act and comprise of more than 1,200 registered volunteers.

Marine rescue volunteers provide a range of emergency management services, including: assisting the Western Australia Police Service to search for missing people or vessels; providing help to drifting vessels unable to make their own way; and assisting in operations to remove grounded or submerged vessels. Volunteer marine rescue groups work in close liaison with the WA Police Service performing search and rescue missions at sea. Rescue assistance includes: provision of senior first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation or expired air resuscitation; towing damaged vessels back to shore or launching ramp; re-supplying of water or fuel to stranded vessels; and Volunteer marine rescue groups also provide advice on voyage planning, radio communications and what actions to take during an emergency at sea. If you are interested in joining a volunteer marine rescue group, please contact the Volunteer Recruitment Information Line on 1800 628 141.   For more information, download the Volunteer Marine Rescue Service brochure.