VMR Mornington & Hastings - Volunteer Marine Rescue inc

21/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we sincerely thank our team of dedicated volunteers at VMR Mornington/Hastings for their service.

For just over 45 years our Operational members both past and present have never failed to respond to a call out when requested on Western Port or Port Phillip, in their quest to maintain the motto "To Serve our Community in the Protection of Life at Sea"

Supporting our Operational Members is a great Fundraising and Social Sub Committee who work hard to raise vital funds to assist us in helping to keep the boating community safe.

To every single one of our members, we acknowledge your effort, and appreciate all that you do.

And this week, we also acknowledge our fellow volunteer marine rescue teams who work with us, thank you for your shared dedication to volunteering in this very valuable support service we all strive to deliver to our Community.

04/05/2026

Our members send their heartfelt condolences to Marine Rescue Ballina at this tragic and sad time. We honour the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who strive to serve the boating community in Ballina and all over Australia. Our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues of the volunteers who have sacrificed their lives in the protection of others at sea, and we pay tribute to their selfless service and commitment to others. We stand with you in your grief.

18/04/2026

VMR Mornington/Hastings is joining the Emergency Services Open Day tomorrow at Fred Smith Reserve in Hastings from 10.00am till 2.00pm.

Stop by to chat with our crew about boating safety on Western Port and Port Phillip, explore our rescue vessel and equipment and learn more about volunteering with us. Hope to see you there.

21/03/2026

Thank you sincerely to our local community for the incredible generosity shown at the roadside collection. We appreciate your kind donations. Big shout out also to the hard working group of dedicated volunteers who turned up to lend a hand. The community connection and thoughtfulness from everyone involved go so far in supporting our service.

Send a message to learn more

20/03/2026

VMR Mornington/Hastings - serving the community since 1980, fundraising for our operations and needing community support.

Event: Saturday 21 March, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the corner of Nepean Highway and Mornington-Tyabb Road, Mornington.

Please Donate: Our volunteer collectors will have the tins ready to take cash at the intersection. You may also donate by using the QR codes below for either Mornington or Hastings. Every donation is greatly appreciated.

Community Impact: Your contributions help maintain our rescue services and raise public awareness about marine safety.

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Thank you for helping us help others.

03/03/2026

Crews across Port Phillip and Western Port have been kept busy with a surge in jet ski incidents. Last week near Mornington Pier and just after dark, two young riders found themselves stranded after running out of fuel as a strong offshore breeze threatened to carry them further from the coast. With winds building from around 10 to 15 knots and gusts topping 20 knots, rescue crews were relieved to safely bring the pair onboard and tow their jet ski back to Mornington.

Over on Western Port, crews worked alongside Water Police to assist a rider who had been stranded for several hours on a mudflat. Police eventually winched the rider to safety, and once the tide returned, the jet ski was removed to eliminate the hazard.

Excellent work volunteers!

01/02/2026

Hastings crew captured some spectacular colours on Western Port yesterday. A tow back to Newhaven in the very early hours of the morning with a vessel that had gearbox issues presented them with an illuminated sea. Crews also assisting Emergency Services around French Island before twilight enjoyed the natural scenery while returning TX1 to its berth in the Marina.

08/01/2026

An incredibly busy start to 2026 on both Port Phillip and Western Port for our volunteer crews. Hastings crew have undertaken a number of tows due to starter motor failure, no fuel, searches for swimmers and overdue vessels, engine fire from a fuel leak and assisting Ambulance Victoria in a medical emergency retrieval from a vessel.

In addition to a number of tows of broken down vessels, Mornington crews have located an overdue diver, assisted kayakers blown offshore, retrieved a swimmer in distress, and undertaken general patrols of The Pillars and local beaches. On one of these patrols jet skiers reported swimmers in trouble and together with Lifesaving Victoria Volunteers, efforts were made to locate them until stood down by the Water Police.

Yesterday, Lifesaving Victoria had helicopters monitoring the coastline and we are grateful for the collaborative response from their crew on water with assessing an exhausted and very grateful swimmer with some minor injuries who we retrieved from the water off The Pillars.

As it is extra busy at this time of the year, be on the lookout, have fun but keep it safe, for you, your friends and other people as well.

02/01/2026

It was a great honour to assist the Warner family in fulfilling
one of VMR's most esteemed member's last request, to be returned to the sea where he grew up near Fishies Beach, raised a family and protected life through his 44 years of volunteering with VMR Mornington. On a calm evening, just on sunset, and in the presence of family and close friends, Tim's ashes were cast. From Tim's family, "we’d like to say thank you so much to VMR for taking the time and effort to fulfill Tim’s wishes in such a thoughtful and lovely way, especially at short notice. Thank you so much". Rest In Peace Tim Warner, an incredible example of service to his community.

31/12/2025

Two of our youngest volunteers and another in training received high praise from their Skipper yesterday when assisting a broken down 8m vessel with 5 adults and 2 children on board. Great skills from the crew enabled setting up a bridle and securing a tow line in trying conditions. Situated close to the rocks off Mt Martha, an intense southerly front produced short, sharp intense wave patterns which left no room for error, and the crew were relied on heavily to secure the distressed vessel as quickly and safely as possible. Well done Charlie, Tom and Denis for your capable and calm actions, your efforts very much appreciated by your Skipper.