Exodus of Qld Coast Guard skippers one year after ‘toxic’ culture claims first aired

Many experienced skippers have quit or been stood down from the Queensland Coast Guard amid claims of a “toxic’’ culture that has sparked fears for the boating public’s safety.

Experienced Coast Guard volunteers have exited the organisation in the past year amid claims of a toxic culture at the national level. File Picture: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

At least a dozen experienced skippers have been forced out or left Queensland’s volunteer Coast Guard, mostly in the state’s southeast, sparking fears from some of those left for the boating public’s safety.

Insiders said more than a dozen long-term members had been stood down, dismissed or left in Brisbane Coast Guard alone, more than every other flotilla in Australia combined.

On weekdays, some small regional flotillas were down to one experienced skipper, they said.

Queensland has about 60 per cent of the association’s total membership.

Mooloolaba flotilla alone has more members than South Australia.

“No smaller flotillas have folded as yet but it wouldn’t take much for them to become non-operational,’’ an insider said.

“Some only have a single skipper on during the (working) week and if they went the public would be endangered.’’

Multiple experienced volunteers have exited the South Queensland Coast Guard and other flotillas in the past year. File Picture: Facebook/Brisbane Coastguard

Angry volunteers alleged disciplinary action was “trumped up’’, even including one instance of alleged “misogyny’’, and was aimed at silencing opponents of Coast Guard’s national board based in Victoria.

“We’re just being hounded by the national board,’’ one alleged.

But the national governing body has slammed the claims, saying it had to weed out various issues, while denying there had been an impact on its vital emergency services.

The most recent stand downs came just before last Saturday’s election for a Squadron Commander for the South Queensland region, which covered flotillas in Southport, Manly, Redcliffe and Redland Bay.

The matters were not due to be investigated until later this month, effectively leaving only two candidates for the election.

Queensland’s Coast Guard is transitioning to a new government-run body amid ongoing turmoil among volunteers. Picture: Coastguard Media

The incumbent Squadron commander, who has disciplinary powers over other members, was re-elected.

An insider said that they held two positions on the national board and were seen by some volunteers as supportive of the national board, but said they were not suggesting the incumbent engaged in any wrongdoing.

The insider said a large part of the dispute revolved around the fate of millions in assets, such as buildings and boats, which had been funded through fundraisers by Queensland volunteers.

The previous and current state governments have announced plans to absorb the Coast Guard and another safety group, Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR), into a state-run body called Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ).

One source said most volunteers were happy for that to occur, including the transfer of assets to MRQ, because Coast Guard services would benefit from unified management and more reliable funding.

“The sort of boats we need cost at least $1 million and we have some vessels that are more than 20 years old and need replacing,’’ they said.

“But the national board wants to take over our assets, which we paid for with fundraising.’’

Another long-term member claimed the national board had not been transparent about its negotiations with the government, leading to speculation it was using Queensland’s assets as a bargaining chip.

The claims came less than a year after the internal unrest first erupted publicly following the departure of eight Brisbane-based Coast Guard volunteers.

Deputy National Commodore Matthew Semmens said the claims about assets and “trumped up’’ allegations were incorrect and denied the number of experienced volunteers was down to levels which could endanger the public.

“Our service levels and response has not been affected. The best example is the recent cyclone (TC Alfred) where our guys, especially Redland Bay, worked 24/7 and are most likely going to get awards,’’ Mr Semmens said.

He confirmed there have been multiple cases of alleged unfair dismissal or stand-downs brought before the Fair Work Commission.

However, he claimed that because the Coast Guard was a voluntary organisation the commission had no power to take action.

Mr Semmens accepted the “optics weren’t good’’ in relation to the two stand downs before the South Queensland election last Saturday, but said the timing was coincidental.

Angry members claim the national board wants to grab Queensland’s assets including boats and buildings, which the board denies. Picture: Facebook/Brisbane Coastguard

“There has been a combination of resignations and disciplinary actions (in the past year),’’ he said.

“This is muckraking and it’s a real shame some people have resorted to saying these things.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our volunteers do the right thing, but we will not condone bullying and harassment.

“We should not and cannot tolerate it. Society’s expectations are high.’’

Mr Semmens said there was no truth to claims the national board wanted to grab Queensland’s assets but said that, under its constitution, the assets belonged to the board.

“The national board is fully supportive of the new government entity and are working towards the Queensland flotillas transitioning to Marine Rescue Queensland,’’ he said.

“Every (Queensland) flotilla will go across, we just don’t know when.’’

No Queensland Coast Guard units have so far transitioned to MRQ, but the process was well under way with Volunteer Marine Rescue.

Mr Semmens said there was a nondisclosure agreement with the government, but the national board was being as transparent as possible and would hold two information meetings in the near future.