The Marine Area Command contains the following main sections:

a. Divers

• Perform specific underwater search, recovery & investigative operations.
• Provide underwater still & video evidence to assist in the investigation of crime & coronial inquests.
• Provide underwater services in support of emergency operations.
• Provide underwater security services.
• Provide topographical evidence through the use of side scan sonar.
• Provide technical investigation of diving equipment worn by deceased.
• Provide in-water support in crowd control situations.

b. Marine Operational Support Team (M.O.S.T)

• Boarding Vessels at Sea and Enclosed Waters
• Boarding Australian Registered Vessels (Commercial & Recreational)
• Boarding Foreign Registered Vessels
• Detection of offences (safety and criminal)
• Security of Ports
• Marine Law enforcement for open and sheltered waters
• Police Law enforcements
• Marine Crowd Control
• V.I.P escorts
• Defence Department Escorts

c. Search and Rescue

The NSW Police has a full time State Marine Search and Rescue/Emergency Management Co-Coordinator who is the central point of contact for all marine incidents within the State.

Under an agreement between the Federal Government and the States, Search and Rescue (SAR) of all vessels in Port, pleasure craft and fishing vessels at sea is the responsibility of the respective state police.

A comprehensive list of State Rescue Board (SRB) accredited resources is maintained at MAC Search and Rescue Co-Ordination Centre (SARCC). These include Volunteer Organizations such as the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and the Volunteer Rescue Association.

d. Marine Investigators

Marine Investigators have specialist knowledge in marine offences such as black-marketing, poaching, vessel re-birthing, vessel identification, waterborne deaths, fisheries matters, port security, illegal immigration, quarantine and marine based prostitution.

e. Crime Prevention

See page on Boat Safety and Crime Prevention for tips and advice.