RNLI crew publish open letter on why they’re refusing to go back

Thursday 13 April 2017

Jersey’s former lifeboat crew have made public a letter they’ve sent to RNLI management in the UK.

In the letter, they say: “We as a crew are all devastated by the position that we have been put in. Each of us loves lifeboating and the camaraderie that comes with it, but because of this strong bond, and just like when on a shout, you stand behind the man at the wheel.

“We therefore feel we are unable to return to our roles at this time without Andy returning to his and we await the result of his appeal, hoping that a sensible outcome will allow both sides to move forward for the good of both the RNLI and St Helier Lifeboat Station and hopefully we can return to the good relationship of old.”

The letter goes on to make it clear how much the crew respect their coxswain, Andy Hibbs, 44, who the RNLI 'sacked' for allegedly breaking their code of conduct - something he strongly denies and says he's already been cleared of.

The letter adds: "We as a crew have never had reason to doubt Andy.  The majority of us have at some time or other placed complete trust in him, in terms of our lives, be that climbing up a ladder, jumping ship in poor weather or going to sea with him without a moment’s hesitation despite it blowing 50knots of wind at the Pier Heads.  He has been a tutor to us all whether as new ‘greenhorn’ crew, or as we have progressed up the ladder of responsibility at the station as helms, navigators or deputy coxswains/mechanics.  

"Andy maintains that he had done nothing more than stick up for the crew and station, and as you have not given us any reasons for your decision, we must stand by our coxswain.  Andy is held in very high regard in the Island community as you will have seen by over 3,500 people signing a petition and the turnout at a protest organised last Sunday by a former crewmember.  Unfortunately constant change at RNLI HQ, as acknowledged by yourselves at our meeting last Thursday means we have no real ‘relationship’ with anyone there and based on past experience there is a risk that you will not be in your role in six months’ time and someone else will be promising us the earth before moving on in their career."

The crew also makes it clear what the RNLI needs to do if it wants to resolve the situation: "For the avoidance of doubt, if Andy was reinstated to his former position while the appeal process is undertaken then we would return to our posts immediately, saving the charity and the Island of Jersey considerable cost.  Equally, if there was an emergency of a serious nature which required the expertise of Andy and his crew, all the Coastguard or RNLI need to do is to call Andy on his mobile and we would all respond immediately."

Meanwhile, former lifeboat crew member, Paul Battrick, has hit out at what he believes is the Council of Ministers lack of support for the crew. At Sunday's rally outside the RNLI station, Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier promised to act, but Mr Battrick says that "recent public opinion seems to be that there has been a change in his direction."

On behalf of the crew, Mr Battrick wants Senator Routier to clarify who is paying the visiting RNLI crew's costs, why they are staying at a top hotel, and why the States is paying overtime to the Fire and Rescue Service to cover for the local lifeboat crew, who for years have done the job for free.