Nearly half of all candidates fail the battalion's rigorous training program.

On 22 March 1838 its size was fixed as a battalion of five companies and on 14 December 1962, its jurisdiction was expanded to include the port of Marseille and the Marseille-Provence Marignane International Airport.

Edouard Daladier, Prime Minister, observes the professionalism of the Toulon marine brigade and the quality of their equipment.

In 2011, it carried 111,700 interventions, an average of 285 per day, approximately one every 5 minutes, with more than two thirds regarding the "rescue victim" (prehospital care).

The battalion is commanded by a naval flag officer (currently Vice Admiral Charles-Henri Garié) as part of the Marseille garrison.