Guernsey’s Harbourmaster to review RNLI row

Wednesday 14 February 2018

The exact circumstances behind a breakdown in relations between the RNLI and the former St. Helier Lifeboat Crew, which led to the team walking out on the organisation and forming their own sea rescue service, are to be probed in a new inquiry, Express has learned.

Guernsey’s Harbourmaster, Captain Chad Murray, will be in charge of undertaking that review.

The review will also include gathering evidence from a number of other stakeholders outside of the RNLI and former St. Helier Crew, including other search and rescue services, such as Jersey Coastguard. Express understands that the former crew have declined to be involved.

According to the official Terms of Reference, which have been shared with Express, Captain Murray will be tasked with specifically investigating:

• "The walkout of the St. Helier Lifeboat Station volunteer crew on 7th April 2017 following the dismissal, by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (the RNLI), of the St. Helier coxswain,

• The subsequent decision of the RNLI to reinstate the St. Helier coxswain on 28th June 2017, and

• The withdrawal from service of the St. Helier All-weather Lifeboat ‘George Sullivan’ on 17th November 2017."

Guernsey's Harbour Master is also set to review whether the Government's response to the situation was "sufficient to investigate the risk of lives being lost at sea... with a view to further improving the resilience of the island's capacity to save lives at sea."

Pictured: Deputy Steve Luce, who has worked for the RNLI, said that he hoped the review would help to "minimise the chances of any repeat of the events of last year."

Deputy Steve Luce, who has acted as the key ministerial contact on the matter, commented: “The Guernsey Harbourmaster has been commissioned to produce a report to help inform States Members about the background into the events that led to the breakdown of the relationship and make recommendations about search and rescue provision in Jersey.

"The intention of this report is to ensure that Jersey has advice on providing the best possible service for the future and to minimise the chances of any repeat of the events of last year. It is my hope that the report and the recommendations will be produced in good time to inform Member's preparations for the March debate on a proposed independent lifeboat service.”

It comes following a months-long battle between the RNLI and St. Helier crew, which began when coxswain Andy Hibbs was suspended from his position after allegedly breaking the charity’s code of conduct in April.

Shortly after his dismissal, all 25 members of his crew walked out in support. Islanders rallied behind the coxswain of 25 years in a public protest, and a petition calling for his reinstatement gathered thousands of signatures. Many called for an independent review into exactly what went wrong. 

Pictured: Andy Hibbs was reinstated as St Helier RNLI coxswain following a review, but later left the position to start a new organisation when relations became strained once more.

Following an internal review by the RNLI, Mr Hibbs was reinstated, but the crew left again after stating that their relationship with the organisation had become irreparably damaged. They have since set up the Jersey Lifeboat Association, an alternative service which was incorporated in Jersey’s Royal Courts on 2 February this year.

While the saga has played out in the public arena, islanders have largely been kept in the dark on the exact circumstances surrounding Mr Hibbs’ dismissal. It is hoped that the review will shed some light on this.

But the move to appoint Captain Murray to undertake the inquiry has already drawn criticism from those close to the Jersey Lifeboat Association and former St. Helier Crew, who feel that it may not be fully independent due to Mr Murray’s working relationship with the Ports of Jersey.