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The suspension of the Jersey Lifeboat Association from service following a collision nearly three years ago was "excessive, unjust and oppressive", according to the board responsible for hearing complaints against public bodies.
The States Complaints Board announced this afternoon that it had upheld part of a complaint made by Ben Shenton, former Chair of the sea rescue charity against the Chief Minister.
Mr Shenton had complained that the Harbourmaster did not have the power to suspend the JLA from service following an incident in November 2021.
Mr Shenton, who is former Honorary Chairman of the JLA, explained that their vessel had been on the way to help a stricken yacht on a night in November 2021 when it struck rocks off Noirmont.
No one was injured in the collision but the Sir Max Aitken III lifeboat was badly damaged.
Video: The Max Aitken III's hull was damaged when it struck rocks.
The incident was reported afterwards, and the Coastguard – acting under Ports of Jersey as the “maritime regulator” – decided to suspend the JLA's vessel.
Mr Shenton said the suspension was “not proportionate” and told the SCB panel that the Coastguard had no authority to suspend a vessel without the approval of a Government minister, which they had not obtained.
The former Honorary Chairman also claimed that the report published afterwards contained omissions and inaccuracies, saying: “A sham report was put out in order to character-assassinate a charitable organisation dedicated to saving lives at sea."
The Board confirmed today that it deemed the suspension to have been excessive, unjust and oppressive, and it also raised concerns about the way in which the report was published.
Mr Geoffrey Crill, Chair of the Complaints Panel said: “The Board recognises that the Jersey Coastguard holds responsibility for the day-to-day organisation of maritime search and rescue facilities in Jersey’s territorial waters and for the appropriate application and modification as necessary of the Framework, including the maintenance or otherwise of the Declared Facility Status of any independent rescue boat organisation.
"However, while the Board has no reason to impugn the findings and recommendations of the Marico Marine report, we were concerned with the manner in which the report was produced and ultimately published.”
Pictured: Ben Shenton, who brought the complaint, is the former Honorary Chair of the Jersey Lifeboat Association.
Among their more extreme concerns were the inclusion of witness statements as appendices to the draft (and final) report.
"The inclusion of the witness statements resulted in certain information being ‘leaked’ to the media, even though that content had absolutely no bearing on the accident investigation," Mr Crill said.
More to follow...
"Sham report" damaged JLA's reputation, says former Chair
Jersey Lifeboat Association back in action (2023)
JLA coxswain 'distracted by chart plotter before hitting rocks (2022)
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