RNLI crew to return to service on Monday

Thursday 29 June 2017

The 25-person RNLI crew that walked out in support of their sacked coxswain earlier this year will return to their positions on Monday morning.

Coxswain Andy Hibbs was reinstated yesterday following a two-month dispute with the RNLI over alleged misconduct.

In the aftermath of his sacking, the full St Helier Lifeboat team resigned from their roles, claiming that they wouldn’t return until Mr Hibbs was given his position back.

But following Mr Hibbs’ return and a formal apology from the RNLI, they said that they would be “delighted” to return to duty on Monday morning, “…to once again provide the service that we love.”

In a statement, the crew commented: “[We] wish to record our satisfaction with the results of the RNLI's exhaustive review into the recent standing-down of Andy Hibbs as Coxswain and, in particular, the full formal apology which has been given.

Pictured: The coxswain's sacking sparked protests in April.

“As a result, we look forward to re-building a positive working relationship with the RNLI, including the re-instatement of James Gales, Lifeboat Operations Manager for St. Helier station, in some capacity.”

They admitted, however, that there were still, “...a few practical details to be resolved.”

The crew added: "Throughout this whole affair we have been humbled by the support and good wishes from all parts of the Island community, from the Council of Ministers down, and for this we would like a say a huge "thank You" to everyone."