WESTERN Port and the Southern Peninsula waters will soon be safer under the protection of state-of-the-art rescue vessels thanks to new funding from the state government.
Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward visited the Coast Guard’s Hastings headquarters last week to announce the investment, which will deliver new rescue boats to the Coast Guard Western Port and the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad by the middle of 2027.
The vessels are designed to handle both nearshore and offshore emergencies, capable of operating up to 60 nautical miles from land. They’ll come equipped with advanced technology including thermal imaging systems, remote-controlled rescue devices, multiple access points for rescues, and even firefighting capabilities.
The upgrade will be a welcome boost for local volunteers who are on call year-round.
The 28 Coast Guard Western Port members respond to around 100 incidents annually, while the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad’s 35 volunteers attend about 65 callouts each year.
Both groups are part of Victoria’s Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) network, which includes around 750 volunteers across 26 flotillas. Collectively, they responded to more than 950 emergencies statewide last year, helping to keep Victoria’s 417,000 recreational boaters safe across thousands of kilometres of coastline, rivers and bays.
The vessels are being funded through the government’s Strengthening Marine Search and Rescue initiative, which allocated more than $4m in this year’s budget to support new boats for flotillas across the state.
Ward praised the dedication of local volunteers, saying “We’re making sure the hardworking volunteers of Coast Guard Western Port and Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad have the modern and functional vessels they need to keep their community safe”.
“Victorians love the water, and we’re making sure that all who want to enjoy our state’s beautiful coastlines, rivers and waterways can do so safely,” she said.
First published in the Mornington News – 11 November 2025
