In a Boating Emergency

What We Do

marine search and rescue

What We Offer

Apart from radio coverage generally to the local boating community, the base offers:

Category One Marine Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre (SARCC)

The Marine Rescue NSW Port Stephens unit is a Category One Marine Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre (SARCC) and is accredited by the State Rescue Board.

Our Radio Base & Communications Centre at Nelson Head (VMR217) is operated by trained and qualified volunteers, 24 hrs a day; 7 days a week; 365 days a year, monitoring 27MHz, VHF, emergency, and calling channels. For the foreseeable future, the radio room is not open to the public (COVID).

marine search and rescue vessel and rescue ops
What We Do | marine search

The link below displays a list of honours and citations awarded to members of Marine Rescue Port Stephens Unit to recognise their skills, dedication and courage in face of imminent dangers encountered in providing assistance to the boating community in the Port Stephens coastal region.

Our Vision

To provide, through motivated and satisfied volunteers, one of the most effective, innovative and dependable Marine Radio and Search and Rescue Bases in Australia

Our Mission

To provide an effective 24-hour Marine Radio and Search and Rescue response to the community in accordance with State and National rescue policy and maintain the Nelson Head historic heritage site to a high standard for posterity and public access.

What We Do | marine search

Weather Recording Facility

Accredited by the Bureau of Meteorology, Marine Rescue Port Stephens provides regular reports on local conditions, which are electronically communicated to the Bureau of Meteorology, as well as to Radio, TV and Print media outlets in the local area.