History
Marine Rescue NSW was established in July 2009 and took to the water on New Year's Day 2010, uniting three organisations whose volunteers had watched the state's coastline for generations: the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, founded under Royal Australian Navy sponsorship in 1937, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, and the marine fleet of the Volunteer Rescue Association. Unlike most emergency services it is not a government agency but an independent not-for-profit, the state's official volunteer marine rescue service, its crews on call for everything from a failed outboard to an eleven hour rescue in open water.
The Marine Rescue NSW Long Service Medal is the service's own recognition of the volunteers who give it their years, worn within a recognition scheme that also includes the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage and life membership for the most distinguished. The service administers the medal's qualifying conditions, and current criteria should be confirmed with Marine Rescue NSW.
Design & ribbon
The medal
Marine Rescue NSW does not publish a formal design description for the medal; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show its obverse and reverse.
The ribbon
The current Marine Rescue NSW issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Eligibility
The medal recognises long service by members of Marine Rescue NSW.
- The service administers the medal's qualifying conditions; current criteria should be confirmed with Marine Rescue NSW;
- Service with the predecessor organisations, the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and the VRA's marine units, belongs to the same tradition the service continues;
- The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
Agency and state emergency service awards do not form part of the Australian honours system. They are worn separately from the national honours in accordance with the issuing agency's dress policy, and on civilian racks they are mounted as a distinct group apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Marine Rescue NSW Long Service Medal awarded for?
Long service by volunteers of Marine Rescue NSW, the state's official volunteer marine rescue service. The service administers the qualifying conditions.
When was Marine Rescue NSW formed?
In July 2009, taking to the water on New Year's Day 2010, uniting the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and the VRA's marine fleet.
Is it a government service?
No. It is an independent not-for-profit, supported by the NSW Government and the boating community, and it is the state's official volunteer marine rescue service.
What else does the service award?
Its recognition scheme includes the Commissioner's Commendation for Courage and life membership, and its volunteers have also received the Emergency Services Medal in the national honours lists.
How is it worn?
Separately from the national honours, in accordance with the service's dress policy, and as a distinct group on civilian racks.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.