The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc. was formed as the Cruising Yacht Club of Victoria by founding members Bill Wakefield, Fred Cook and Frank Bennell in 1949, so that ocean races in Victorian waters could be efficiently developed and run by an organisation focused exclusively on the needs of ocean racers.

The ORCV is an Organising Authority of Category 1, 2 and 3 ocean races and a Yachting Australia Training Centre (YATC) with five Yachting Australia accredited Yachtmaster Offshore and Safety & Sea Survival Course Instructors.

[citation needed] Membership is drawn from all of the major keel boat yacht clubs in Victoria, but does not compete with other yacht clubs by operating a clubhouse or marina facility.

All ORCV training activities specifically relate to ocean sailing and racing, particularly where there may be barriers to entering this domain.

[5] The ORCV conduct the following Ocean and Bay yacht races and events: Category nautical miles conducted or Melbourne to Portland or 163 or Rudder Cup Melbourne to Devonport blue-water classic or 195 International events Category nautical miles conducted