VOLUNTEERS are outraged a rescue vessel partially funded with donations from the south-west community will be redeployed to the Port Phillip Bay area.
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It was revealed last week the Warrnambool Coast Guard vessel would be sent to Queenscliff and be replaced with a smaller boat at an undetermined time.
But volunteers, who did not want to be named, say they are angry the trust of community members, businesses and philanthropic groups has been broken.
When the boat was first stationed in the city in 2008, it was reported the Warrnambool flotilla had to raise about $110,000 towards the purchase price.
It’s understood the Victorian Coast Guard squadron handed over the cash on the provision the Warrnambool flotilla repaid it.
The remainder of the purchase price was made up with a government grant and donations from major businesses.
Documents seen show the flotilla paid around $60,000 between 2008 and 2012 to the Victorian squadron, using money raised through flotilla based fund-raising and from grants from south-west philanthropic trusts.
The balance outstanding is understood to now be around $10,000.
Coast Guard national commodore Ray Campbell said earlier this week each coast guard vessel was owned by the national body and there was one charitable entity.
“When people donate, they donate to Coast Guard, not to individual flotillas,” Mr Campbell said.
