RNLI dispute: coxswain’s appeal “delayed”

Friday 16 June 2017

The results of an appeal against the sacking of a former RNLI coxswain have been “delayed” until later this month.

Andy Hibbs (44) – a respected Island coxswain whose father also held the role before him – was let go by the RNLI over alleged misconduct in April, prompting the resignation of his 25-strong team in a show of solidarity. Mr Hibbs denied any wrongdoing.

The details of that ‘misconduct’ were never revealed, but it was alleged that the parting of ways had stemmed from a dispute over the recuperation of a French tugboat. 

In the two months following, public support has steadily grown, with mass gatherings undertaken to protest what the St Helier Lifeboat Association describe as a “sorry situation” and long-time charity donors and fundraisers withdrawing their support – allegedly constituting losses in the thousands – until Andy Hibbs and his crew are reinstated.

Video: Vicky Boarder, who runs the Fresh Fish Company on the Victoria Pier, explains why she withdrew her RNLI collection tins.

They’re hoping good news will come soon, after RNLI officials visited the Island last month to hear Mr Hibbs’ appeal, with the organisation promising to undertake a, “…fair and comprehensive internal review.”

But learning yesterday that the results of this review, which had been expected imminently, would now be delayed until at least the end of the month, the St Helier team warned that, “…many people supporting Andy Hibbs are losing faith in the RNLI and feel that our future is in a service that we can trust run by the community for the community.”

In a statement, they said: “We all hope that some common sense will prevail and that the RNLI management will realise that they are currently on the losing end of their current rash course of actions which have been down to the poor quality of just a few of their management team who have been intransigent up to now. They have built a huge mountain of trouble out of a few molehills with the help of just a few self-interested local troublemakers…

“If something is not done to solve this problem in the coming weeks it looks like Jersey may have to go it alone and create their own search and rescue service something which could work well if co-ordinated properly with the French and the other Channel Islands.”

Pictured: The St Helier lifeboat station continues to be manned by staff brought over from the UK.

In the interim, a non-local RNLI team will continue to operate the local rescue service.

The RNLI have been asked for comment.