Mallacoota has experienced boat operators, former Coast Guard members, a modern shared emergency services base and substantial marine rescue assets.
This proposal asks a simple first question: is there enough local interest, experience and community support to consider a locally managed volunteer marine rescue unit? All views are welcome, including support for the present arrangements.
MMSAR is not an active marine rescue service.
This website outlines a proposal and seeks community views about whether Mallacoota should have a locally managed volunteer marine rescue unit under Victoria’s official MSAR framework.
In an emergency, dial 000 and ask for the Water Police.
MMSAR (Mallacoota Marine Search and Rescue) is a proposed community-led volunteer marine rescue unit for Mallacoota, Victoria. The association has been registered, but it is not operational. The current purpose of this website is to explain the proposal, improve local awareness, and find out what former volunteers, experienced boat operators and the broader community think.
No decision has been made that a new unit will proceed. That depends on local interest, volunteer capacity, community support and engagement with the Victorian MSAR framework. The coordinator believes local management deserves serious consideration — this consultation asks what others think before anything larger is considered.
Infrastructure, assets and experience exist. The open question is local interest and willingness.
Mallacoota has a new approximately $7 million emergency services base, shared by SES, Lifesaving, and Marine Search and Rescue. MSAR has roughly $2 million worth of assets deployed here, with a budget to operate them. The town also has experienced boat operators and people with previous emergency-service and Coast Guard knowledge.
On paper, Mallacoota appears to have many of the ingredients for an effective local volunteer marine rescue unit. The question this consultation asks is whether there is enough local interest and willingness to bring those elements together under the official Victorian MSAR framework — managed locally rather than only remotely.
The coordinator of this proposal believes that would benefit the community. That is a view put forward for discussion — not a claim that the community has already agreed. Some people may be satisfied with the present arrangements; some may want change; others may need more information. All of those responses are useful.
The 2014 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry and related MSAR reform report (27 pages — read on this page) identified significant issues in the organisation and support of volunteer marine rescue in Victoria. MMSAR argues that several of those concerns remain relevant to Mallacoota and should be considered when reviewing present arrangements.
Before any larger campaign or formal approach, this site seeks to establish the level of awareness, concern, support and practical volunteer interest among former members, boat users and the wider community.
360° view of the lake — Mallacoota
This is an initial public consultation about marine rescue in Mallacoota. Please indicate whether you support local management, may be willing to help, prefer the current arrangements, or are still undecided.
The public list displays your Alias, position and connection to the area. Your email address and private comments are never published or released. Use an Alias if you do not want your name shown publicly.
This public list shows each person’s Alias, position and connection to Mallacoota or local waters. It includes people who support local management, people who may be willing to help, people satisfied with the current arrangements and people who remain undecided.
Email addresses and private comments are never shown or released.
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Coastal beauty, local waters, and the facilities that make a rescue unit possible.
Mallacoota’s coastal waters — the setting for local marine rescue discussion.
Mallacoota Wharf after heavy rainfall, featuring the EMV rescue vessel stationed behind.
Official 27-page report on reforming marine rescue in Victoria — useful background for this discussion.
The report identified significant issues in the organisation, funding and support of
volunteer marine rescue in Victoria. MMSAR argues that several of those
concerns remain relevant to Mallacoota and should be considered when reviewing the
present arrangements. File: Vic-MSAR-Reform.pdf
Straight answers for former volunteers, boat users and residents.
No. MMSAR is a proposal and consultation only and is not an active rescue service. In an emergency, dial 000 and ask for the Water Police.
No. This is an initial community consultation. MMSAR supports exploring a locally managed volunteer unit, but the immediate purpose is to establish local awareness, opinion, experience and willingness to participate. People who support the current arrangements are equally welcome to record that view.
No. Selecting that you may be willing to help is only an expression of possible interest. It does not create any obligation.
The public list requires an Alias. Use an Alias rather than your full name if you do not want your identity shown publicly. Email addresses and private comments are not published or released.
Whether there is enough local interest to consider a community-led volunteer Marine Search and Rescue unit under the official Victorian MSAR framework, managed locally rather than only remotely. No decision has been made that a unit will proceed.
A new approximately $7 million emergency services base shared by SES, Lifesaving, and MSAR. MSAR has roughly $2 million of assets deployed in Mallacoota, with a budget to operate them.
The inquiry and related MSAR reform report (27 pages) identified significant issues in the organisation and support of volunteer marine rescue in Victoria. MMSAR argues that several of those concerns remain relevant to Mallacoota. Read the PDF in the inquiry section.
Use the form under Where do you stand? Enter an Alias, a valid unique email (private, not released), your connection to the area, and an active choice of position.
