About Us
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad
It is a not-for-profit independent marine search and rescue service that was formed in 1967 to address the lack of emergency services on the Mornington Peninsula.
SPRS is a well-respected organisation that operates two fully equipped, purpose-built search-and-rescue boats, a support vehicle, and associated rescue and medical equipment.
Based at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, the SPRS is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service that assists Police, Ambulance, other lifesaving organisations, and, ultimately, the community.
Its main area of operation is the southern end of Port Phillip Bay and the surf coasts of Bass Strait.
SPRS’s primary role is search and rescue. Its tasks include rescuing people from the water, searching for missing people and boats, and towing boats that cannot safely return to shore.
Each year, our rescue boat provides a safety backup for several local swim events, including the Sorrento Bay Swim, Portsea Swim Classic, Pier to Perignon Swim and the Melbourne to Hobart yacht race.
In addition, SPRS members promote safe boating within the community through talks, demonstrations, school group visits to our Base, and other activities.
All SPRS members are volunteers who provide services to assist their community positively. SPRS is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that derives its funds primarily from its Opportunity Shop at Rye, some State Government and other Grants, and generous public donations.
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad does not charge for its services, although many of the people we assist make much-appreciated donations.
A Committee of Management, which the members elect in October each year, oversees the running of SPRS.
The 2024 / 2025 Committee
President
Kent Quigley
Vice President
Dan Nestel
Secretary
Denis Baguley AM
Treasurer
Garry Snell
General Committee