1973-74
The first volunteer sea rescue groups were established or forming at various locations throughout Western Australia.

1975

A representative body at the State level, Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue Association (VSSRA), was formed.

 

1987-88
By this time a total of 25 Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) groups had been established under their own constitutions as incorporated associations to meet local needs.
​
All groups were members of VSSRA and were encouraged to attend or be represented at VSSRA council meetings.

 

1989

The Marine Emergency Management Scheme (MEMS) was established, detailing the management arrangements for marine search and rescue within the scope of State responsibility under Commonwealth/State arrangements.

​

Under MEMS the responsibility for development, maintenance and implementation of the scheme was allocated to the WA Marine Search and Rescue Coordinating Committee.
 
1995
23 groups adopt the use of the VMR block of radio call signs across the state.
​
There were significant differences between the metropolitan and regional volunteer marine rescue organisations which resulted in the formation of two representative bodies.
​
The Metropolitan groups formed the West Coast Marine Search and Rescue Association. The Regional groups formed Volunteer Marine Rescue WA (VMRWA).

1997

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services transferred coordination of marine rescue from WA Water Police to the newly forming Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA).
 
The Police remained the Hazard Management Authority (HMA).

 

2002
Formal recognition of the Marine Rescue Service as an Emergency Service was incorporated into the Fire and Emergency Service Act. All VMRWA groups moved under the umbrella of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

2003

Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA) was invited to nominate a representative to the FESA board, and the VMR Consultative Committee was formed. VMRWA also formulated its first formal Strategic Plan.

2014
VMRWA was formally recognised by the State Government as the peak body in WA for all things VMR.
​
Ministerial appointments to the newly formed Volunteer Advisory Committee provided the vehicle for VMR Volunteers to discuss and make recommendations on strategic VMR issues which were available to government and DFES alike.

2015
VMRWA replaced DFES as the West Australian representative at the National Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue Committee recognised as the peak body for VMR nationally.

​

2016
Outcomes from this national body with AMSA saw Exemption 24 put in place relating directly to the various Marine Orders (EX24) giving existing VMR Volunteers some surety that past skills and existing rescue vessels were accommodated into the new Domestic Commercial Vessel regime.

​

VMR Volunteers together with DFES formally adopted the training pathways that ensured a consistent level of skillsets were available for every VMR Volunteer.