Flotilla 15 was Chartered in the early 80s, providing marine radio coverage for recreational and the local abalone commercial fleet. Originally, Dick York established 'Coast Guard Mallacoota' as a Limited Coast Radio Station from his home dedicating many years of service monitoring vessels on passage across Bass Strait. Later, David Douglas operated the station from his business 'Melaleuca Grove Holiday Units & Motor Inn'.
Search and Rescue was carried utilising either the commercial fleet or members own vessels.
As an outcome of the Bastion Point Boat Ramp development, to mitigate risks associated with the hazards of this remote coastline, the local community and local authorities called for the formation of a Coast Guard Flotilla with a vessel capable of responding to those in peril.
In 2015, VHF coverage was extended with transmitters installed at the Mount Timbillica and Mount Oberon sites.
Search and Rescue was carried utilising either the commercial fleet or members own vessels.
As an outcome of the Bastion Point Boat Ramp development, to mitigate risks associated with the hazards of this remote coastline, the local community and local authorities called for the formation of a Coast Guard Flotilla with a vessel capable of responding to those in peril.
In 2015, VHF coverage was extended with transmitters installed at the Mount Timbillica and Mount Oberon sites.
BASTION POINT, MALLACOOTA, ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS STATEMENT - PANEL REPORT 2008
The Mallacoota Ocean Access Boat Ramp is proposed at Bastion Point, approximately 1.5 km south of Mallacoota in East Gippsland and 520 km east of Melbourne. In 2000 the Minister for Planning determined that an Environment Effects Statement was required to provide a framework for considering potential impacts of the proposal. A planning permit application for removing native vegetation associated with the project was called in by the Minister for Planning. An existing boat ramp at Bastion Point is approximately 40 years old and is used by recreational fishers, commercial Abalone divers and fishers and for other uses such as fisheries patrols and servicing Gabo Island. The ramp is intensively used during the summer and Easter holiday periods by recreational fishermen. The existing ramp has a number of issues related to traffic and parking, ramp slope, ramp width, general ramp condition and weather protection. According to estimates it is currently usable for about 25% of the time. Ocean access via the Mallacoota Inlet mouth occurs at times but this is reliant on the inlet mouth being open and can be a hazardous transit due to inlet and sea conditions. The debate regarding improved ocean access at Mallacoota has been under way since at least the 1980s, and possibly longer. It is a divisive issue that has caused considerable angst at times in town between those who support larger development proposals at Bastion Point and those who would prefer a minimal upgrade of the current ramp or no change at all.
The Mallacoota Ocean Access Boat Ramp is proposed at Bastion Point, approximately 1.5 km south of Mallacoota in East Gippsland and 520 km east of Melbourne. In 2000 the Minister for Planning determined that an Environment Effects Statement was required to provide a framework for considering potential impacts of the proposal. A planning permit application for removing native vegetation associated with the project was called in by the Minister for Planning. An existing boat ramp at Bastion Point is approximately 40 years old and is used by recreational fishers, commercial Abalone divers and fishers and for other uses such as fisheries patrols and servicing Gabo Island. The ramp is intensively used during the summer and Easter holiday periods by recreational fishermen. The existing ramp has a number of issues related to traffic and parking, ramp slope, ramp width, general ramp condition and weather protection. According to estimates it is currently usable for about 25% of the time. Ocean access via the Mallacoota Inlet mouth occurs at times but this is reliant on the inlet mouth being open and can be a hazardous transit due to inlet and sea conditions. The debate regarding improved ocean access at Mallacoota has been under way since at least the 1980s, and possibly longer. It is a divisive issue that has caused considerable angst at times in town between those who support larger development proposals at Bastion Point and those who would prefer a minimal upgrade of the current ramp or no change at all.
Mallacoota Coast Guard has ceased operations at Bastion Point (Submission 248 from Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association) and for it to continue to have a presence, it is crucial to have continued ocean access at all times. Without the redevelopment of Mallacoota it cannot guarantee Coast Guard response should an emergency arise. In Submission 189, the Mallacoota Coast Guard provided statistics for one year at Mallacoota, which are typical of the last 7 years, for 24 incidents, such as Mayday, PAN PAN4, out of fuel, breakdown, medical, etc.
With the boat ramp scheduled to open on 19 December 2014 the need for a marine rescue service, with a vessel that had an offshore capability, was critical. Coast Guard had already highlighted the need in Marine Safety Victoria's Risk Assessment and felt that the Gippsland Squadron could facilitate the formation with resources from Paynesville, Marlo and Lakes Entrance Flotillas. A meeting was held at VF22 headquarters to discuss how to formulate a strategy to support the community needs. Chris Newman (Squadron Commodore Gippsland, Richard Burgess (State Council), Alex Fowler (Squadron Advisor), Harry Ferrier (Flotilla Commander Marlo) and Peter Tyers (Communications Mgr Gippsland) agreed that engagement with the community needed to occur immediately to gain support.
John Rudge was appointed as Flotilla Commander in 2015 and under his leadership, and support from the Gippsland Squadron, the Flotilla was successful in receiving a funding injection of $80,000 from the State Government.
Tim Bull MLA East Gippsland said Mallacoota Coast Guard will receive a new vessel and tow vehicle to support the flotilla in the lead up to the opening of Bastion Point boat ramp thanks to $80,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced this week.
In making the announcement, Mr Bull said the Coast Guard makes a significant contribution to the local community and it is important it has the appropriate equipment to respond in emergency situations.
Mr Bull said the State Government would contribute $40,000 from the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) and $40,000 from the Boating Safety and Facilities program towards the vessel with the Mallacoota Coast Guard contributing $20,000.
Tim Bull MLA East Gippsland said Mallacoota Coast Guard will receive a new vessel and tow vehicle to support the flotilla in the lead up to the opening of Bastion Point boat ramp thanks to $80,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced this week.
In making the announcement, Mr Bull said the Coast Guard makes a significant contribution to the local community and it is important it has the appropriate equipment to respond in emergency situations.
Mr Bull said the State Government would contribute $40,000 from the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) and $40,000 from the Boating Safety and Facilities program towards the vessel with the Mallacoota Coast Guard contributing $20,000.
The Flotilla purchased a vessel from the Coloundra Queensland Flotilla, Caloundra Rescue 1 or CG53 as she was originally, was a replacement for a similar vessel - Noosa Cat 23 ft. - and was ordered prior to Christmas 2002 from Noosa Cat. At the time it was decided the continue with the catamaran configuration and whilst other multihull designs were considered, Noosa Cat was one of only a couple in Australia that were able to be built to 2C survey.
CG53 was finally delivered to the Coloundra Flotilla in May of 2003 following delays in the supply of outboards that produced a change from Mariner to Mercury. Two Mercury 225hp. 2-stroke Optimax engines were the original engines supplied.
CG53 was finally delivered to the Coloundra Flotilla in May of 2003 following delays in the supply of outboards that produced a change from Mariner to Mercury. Two Mercury 225hp. 2-stroke Optimax engines were the original engines supplied.
August 13, 2021 - It's very exciting times for Mallacoota Coast Guard. We are proud to announce the arrival of a brand new 8.5m Kirby Niaad rescue craft, generously supplied by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) this vessel has the latest in navigation and rescue equipment.
Add to this amazing boat, our Flotilla has purchased with help again of EMV a Dodge Ram tow vehicle. These two important pieces of equipment will help keep our crew safe while leading and participating in all types of rescue operations on our waterways.
Our old Noosa Cat (Dick York) was a vital part of Mallacoota Coast Guard and a special part in our community and will be sadly missed.
Add to this amazing boat, our Flotilla has purchased with help again of EMV a Dodge Ram tow vehicle. These two important pieces of equipment will help keep our crew safe while leading and participating in all types of rescue operations on our waterways.
Our old Noosa Cat (Dick York) was a vital part of Mallacoota Coast Guard and a special part in our community and will be sadly missed.
There are six permanent boat ramps in Mallacoota. Two are located at Bottom Lake, one at Main Wharf, and at Karbeethong Jetty. For river access, find a ramp at Gipsy Point. To launch directly into the ocean, use the one at Bastion Point.
Planning your day of fishing and boating in the water is essential. Boat operators should abide by the safety requirements provided by Gippsland Ports and the Mallacoota Coast Guard -information available at local service stations. Always make sure you have the right equipment on board, water, fuel, and an updated weather forecast.
In a marine emergency, get hold of the Mallacoota Coast Guard VF15. Boats with radios call on VHF 16, 81 or 27Meg 88. If no radio, then phone 0429 503 618 -call 000 if no response.
The coastline between Lakes Entrance and Eden is a busy stretch of water with vessels on passage from Melbourne and Tasmania to the east coast of NSW and Qld. Many vessels have come to grief from underestimating the remoteness and lack of sheltered waters until reaching Gabo Island.
Planning your day of fishing and boating in the water is essential. Boat operators should abide by the safety requirements provided by Gippsland Ports and the Mallacoota Coast Guard -information available at local service stations. Always make sure you have the right equipment on board, water, fuel, and an updated weather forecast.
In a marine emergency, get hold of the Mallacoota Coast Guard VF15. Boats with radios call on VHF 16, 81 or 27Meg 88. If no radio, then phone 0429 503 618 -call 000 if no response.
The coastline between Lakes Entrance and Eden is a busy stretch of water with vessels on passage from Melbourne and Tasmania to the east coast of NSW and Qld. Many vessels have come to grief from underestimating the remoteness and lack of sheltered waters until reaching Gabo Island.
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/0/140031281/published/screenshot-2022-01-20-102622.jpg?1642636339)
23 June 2015 ABC Gippsland, Mallacoota yacht search:
Rescue crews hopeful missing sailor made it ashore.
Searchers are hoping a yachtsman whose boat was found washed up on rocks in eastern Victoria may have made it to shore.
An abalone diver found the man's boat smashed on rocks near Mallacoota on Monday morning, sparking a wide-scale search.
The yachtsman from Wodonga was sailing from Paynesville to Eden in south-west New South Wales.
Rescue crews resumed the search on Tuesday morning, scouring both the coastline and remote countryside where the boat went missing.
"The best scenario is that he's got ashore and the SES (State Emergency Service) and police will pick him up today," John Rudge of the Mallacoota Coast Guard said.
"It's very remote; there's very little access in there."
Mr Rudge said it was a worrying sign that emergency services had not received a mayday call or an emergency EPRB transmission.
"Normally there would be some pre-warning of a boat getting into stress and that would happen," he said.
"It's either the problem's happened very quickly or the man has been asleep or not able to get a distress signal off."
Search teams are yet to search the man's boat, which is wedged on rocks in a remote are known as Little Rame Head.
JULY 1 2015 - Victorian yachtsman's body found
The body of a man thought to be that of a missing lone sailor has washed up just 30 metres from where his yacht struck rocks on Victoria's far east coast.
Alan Bullock, 65, of Wodonga in Victoria's northeast sailed his 35-foot double-masted yacht Sea Eagle from Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes on Saturday, heading for Eden on the NSW coast.
An abalone crew found the Sea Eagle on rocks at Little Rame Head near Mallacoota on Monday morning, sparking a sea and air search for Mr Bullock that ended with the discovery of a man's body on Wednesday.
Mallacoota Coast Guard commander John Rudge says the yacht washed up on a rocky, cliff-lined section of the coast.
With no roads or tracks into the area, Mr Rudge said rescuers thought it was possible Mr Bullock made it ashore.
"We located the body about 30 metres from the wreck," Mr Rudge told AAP.
"He was not seen there yesterday, so we believe he must have been washed out some distance as the boat broke up on the rocks and the body came back in this morning."
Mr Rudge said the area is busy with yachties sailing often between NSW and Victoria.
He said sailing conditions were fair on Saturday and remained fair during the search, which was co-ordinated by Victorian water police with assistance from coast guard volunteers, the Victorian air ambulance and State Emergency Service crews.
"It's a long haul between Lakes Entrance and Eden. Weather conditions can change quickly along the coast, so you're bound to get problems," he said.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The body of a man thought to be that of a missing lone sailor has washed up just 30 metres from where his yacht struck rocks on Victoria's far east coast.
Alan Bullock, 65, of Wodonga in Victoria's northeast sailed his 35-foot double-masted yacht Sea Eagle from Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes on Saturday, heading for Eden on the NSW coast.
An abalone crew found the Sea Eagle on rocks at Little Rame Head near Mallacoota on Monday morning, sparking a sea and air search for Mr Bullock that ended with the discovery of a man's body on Wednesday.
Mallacoota Coast Guard commander John Rudge says the yacht washed up on a rocky, cliff-lined section of the coast.
With no roads or tracks into the area, Mr Rudge said rescuers thought it was possible Mr Bullock made it ashore.
"We located the body about 30 metres from the wreck," Mr Rudge told AAP.
"He was not seen there yesterday, so we believe he must have been washed out some distance as the boat broke up on the rocks and the body came back in this morning."
Mr Rudge said the area is busy with yachties sailing often between NSW and Victoria.
He said sailing conditions were fair on Saturday and remained fair during the search, which was co-ordinated by Victorian water police with assistance from coast guard volunteers, the Victorian air ambulance and State Emergency Service crews.
"It's a long haul between Lakes Entrance and Eden. Weather conditions can change quickly along the coast, so you're bound to get problems," he said.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.