Marine Rescue Port Stephens is an accredited fully equipped Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre (SARCC).  It is staffed 24 hours per day throughout the year by highly trained volunteers.

Marine Rescue Port Stephens was originally a division of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP).  The Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1937 and was the oldest and largest volunteer maritime search and rescue organisation in Australia.

The Volunteer Coastal Patrol commenced operations as a Royal Australian Navy Auxiliary Service, maintaining port security and patrolling coastal waters.

Following WWII Volunteer Coastal Patrol became a marine rescue service for the public.  Volunteer radio operators monitored the marine band radios emergency channels while volunteer boat crew aided vessels in distress in all types of weather, 24 hours per day.

The Port Stephens Division of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol was founded in 1982 and the first transmission was made on 21 December 1982.