RNLI dispute: coxswain's appeal to be heard today

Thursday 18 May 2017

Two officials from the RNLI headquarters are in Jersey today to hear the appeal of former coxswain Andy Hibbs who was dismissed five weeks ago, prompting all 25 members of the local crew to quit in an act of solidarity.

The charity has yet to reveal the reasons behind its decision but Mr Hibbs denies breaking the charity's code of conduct for volunteers.

In the midst of the public uproar that followed the coxswain's dismissal, the RNLI promised a “...fair and comprehensive internal review into the challenge and the processes that led to the decision" to be "...undertaken by objective RNLI staff who were not involved in the decision to stand down the volunteer or any related matters."

Islanders have shown their continued support for Mr Hibbs and the St Helier lifeboat crew in the past five weeks by attending two silent protests on the Albert Pier, while an online petition calling for Mr Hibbs to be reinstated gathered 4,500 signatures.

Politicians have also gotten involved with questions in the States and the Chief Minister Ian Gorst and Assistant Minister Senator Paul Routier meeting with the crew last month.