RNLI recalls lifeboat from Jersey after dispute with crew

The waters around Jersey have been left without an all-weather lifeboat after the RNLI ordered its vessel there to be brought back to the UK following a bitter dispute with the crew.

Crew members based at the St Helier lifeboat station on the channel island announced this week that they wanted to split with the RNLI and set up an independent service.

They had hoped to work with the RNLI on a smooth transition but, to the concern of islanders, the charity closed the St Helier lifeboat station on Friday. Without the knowledge of the crew, it ordered the Tamar-class lifeboat George Sullivan to return to the charity’s headquarters in Poole, Dorset.

The crew will try to raise money to buy another boat, but it may take a year before an independent vessel is launched.

Coxwain Andy Hibbs, who has worked on the lifeboat for 25 years, accused the RNLI of “stealing” the lifeboat, adding: “It’s disgusting what they’ve done. We’re devastated that it has ended like this.”

Jersey is left with one operational inshore RIB based at the St Catherine’s station that cannot operate in severe conditions, can carries many fewer survivors than the George Sullivan and has a much more limited range.

The RNLI plans to get a second inshore lifeboat at St Helier operating but said establishing all-weather lifeboat cover would take a few months.

Describing it as a “sad day”, the RNLI’s director of community lifesaving and fundraising, Leesa Harwood, said: “The St Helier crew met with the RNLI earlier this week to say they felt that the relationship with the RNLI is broken and that they want to establish an independent station.

“It’s with regret that we have made the difficult decision to close the St Helier lifeboat station for the immediate future. It is impossible to run a station when the relationship with the RNLI and crew has broken down to this extent.

“The crew have made it quite clear that they want to leave the RNLI and set up an independent lifeboat station. In the interim period, while they pursue that aim, I do not believe that they can fully commit to the RNLI. I no longer have confidence that the station can be run without constant challenges and without constant threat of crew resignation.

“The lifeboat station and shop in St Helier will be closed and secured. The crew have been stood down. The RNLI has notified the coastguard that there is no longer a declared RNLI search and rescue service at St Helier.”

It is the latest twist in a stormy year for the St Helier station, which began when coxswain Hibbs was sacked over an alleged “unauthorised” rescue. His crew walked out in solidarity.

He was later reinstated when it was established that he was not on duty at the time of the alleged offence and the crew returned to service, but tensions have remained since.

Hibbs, a fisherman whose father Bill was a lifeboatman for 30 years, said he did not think that the RNLI would be able to find a crew to man a new all-weather lifeboat.

The George Sullivan had a range of 250 nautical miles and could carry more than 100 survivors. The B-class boat at St Catherine’s can carry only up to 20 survivors and operates for a maximum of three hours.

An RNLI spokesperson said: “B class lifeboats are very capable rescue craft within the RNLI fleet. With a top speed of 35 knots – the fastest coastal RNLI lifeboat – at full speed this would allow them to run for three hours covering 100 miles.

“The B class is capable of launching in in rough conditions associated with onshore winds of a force 6-7 on the Beaufort scale during the day and moderate to rough conditions at night.”

There are all-weather lifeboats on the channel islands of Guernsey and Alderney and the harbourmaster, Capt Bill Sadler, said crews in France would help plug the gap.

He said: “I am disappointed that the relationship between the RNLI and St Helier crew has reached this point, particularly in light of the very long and positive history the Island has with the RNLI. I have talked to colleagues in Guernsey and France today to discuss flank cover.”

Four gold, seven silver and nine bronze gallantry medals have been awarded to crew members based at St Helier lifeboat station in its 120-year history. Apart from during the second world war it has always been run by the RNLI.