Supporting Coastal Patrol

 

Like most voluntary organisations, RVCP does not receive funding from Local, State or federal Governments, nor does it receive an operational subsidy. The volunteer members must raise all operating funding as well as find the funds for equipment replacement.

All members of the Patrol are volunteers and purchase their own uniforms and equipment from their own pockets. A majority of the operational expenses are born by the individual members. The annual cost of running the Division is around $50,000. A major component is fuel for the Patrol lifeboats, closely following by utility costs such as phones and electricity.

As we are only a small organisation, most people had not even heard of our organisation until they require our assistance, let alone helping out. But with petrol prices on the rise, increasing regulations and demands from governments together with dramatically increased costs of equipment in order to comply, fund raising is becoming increasingly important.

The funds for operating come from the following areas:

  • Donations. (usually from people we have assisted)
  • Sponsorship from local community
  • Ongoing fund raising efforts by our members.

In order for you to get a feel of what we do, here are some operational statistics for 2007:

  Total for 2007
SHORE  

No of radio calls

10,181
No of bridge bookings 2,923
No of vessels in transit 1,192
No of persons on board (transits) 3,469
Fund raising hours 1,627
Land line communications (phone/fax) 8,421
Share training hours 1,799
   
SEA - BOATS  
Code 1 - Mayday 1
Code 2 - Pan Pan  
Code 3 - General Assist 169
No of assists - open waters 10

No of assists - enclosed waters

160
No of persons on board (assists) 413
Total value of vessels assisted $11,748,000
Hours steamed-Discovery (CP187) 15.5

Hours steamed-Hunter Lifeboat 1 (CP40)

262.5
Total fuel costs $13,155
Training hours aboard vessels 268
   
Total Costs $52,000