Lifeboat dispute: "piracy" claim refuted as cause

Wednesday 19 April 2017

The current saga over the mass resignation of the St Helier Lifeboat crew took a bizarre twist yesterday, with claims in the States Assembly that it was caused by "piracy", something which was later flatly rejected by the official spokesperson for the crew.

The 25-person crew of St Helier’s RNLI lifeboat station walked out after their coxswain – Andy Hibbs (44), who had held the post for over 25 years - was formally “stood down” after an alleged breach of the organisation’s Volunteer Code of Conduct.

But the reason for that decision has never been made clear, leaving Islanders totally in the dark as to exactly what the dispute is actually all about. 

Then yesterday, St Helier Deputy Russell Labey claimed in the States Assembly that Mr Hibbs’ dismissal was linked with behaviour “akin to piracy” by the Ports of Jersey, who he claimed tried to tow a French vessel that had been successfully rescued by the RNLI for a fee of around £1,500. When the boat owner refused, Ports of Jersey were said to have complained officially to the RNLI headquarters.

That claim was flatly rejected by the official spokesperson for the Jersey RNLI branch, Mike Jackson, who said that while he was aware of a similar incident involving a Jersey boat with a French name, that this bore no relation to the ongoing dispute over Mr Hibbs’ sacking. 

Pictured: The St Helier RNLI Station, whose former team of 25 rescuers walked out following the sacking of respected coxswain Andy Hibbs.

He told Express: “I think he [Deputy Labey] has got it wrong… I think somebody has picked up a red herring. There will be potentially the States type could be sent out for a tow and could claim salvage, and I should expect it would be far in excess of £1,500 – as usually dictated by the value of the vessel – and I don’t know what was involved. But certainly I’m not aware of that dispute of a result of that.

“It’s got nothing to do with the present situation. I can tell you that for sure.”

A UK-based spokesperson for RNLI South also confirmed that the alleged incident was "not directly related" to the decision to stand Mr Hibbs down.

While the circumstances of the dismissal remain unclear, Mr Jackson confirmed that a “positive” meeting had taken place between the crew and the Chief Minister and Assistant Minister Senator Paul Routier, who had previously appealed for the team to take up their positions again.

Pictured: Senator Paul Routier addresses the crowds at the public show of support earlier this month.

Mr Jackson added: “We had a productive meeting… Certain discussions need to be had, and the Chief Minister and Senator Paul Routier have been very supportive, so we look forward to further developments and hope the whole matter is brought to a conclusion as soon as possible…

“We’re not there yet, but we’re moving forward.”

Deputy Russell Labey was unavailable for comment when contacted by Express.