RNLI praise St. Catherine’s Lifeboat crew during ‘difficult’ year

Friday 19 January 2018

The RNLI’s official ‘New Year’ message has praised the St. Catherine Lifeboat volunteers for holding their heads high and making the charity proud, while tough decisions were made in the island.

Standing outside the station along Jersey’s east coast the Community Lifesaving Director, Leesa Harwood, delivered her ‘RNLI New Year’ video message which mentions the troubles the charity has had with the St Helier lifeboat crew throughout 2017.

Talking about Jersey’s other volunteer crew who have not been involved in the dispute, she says: “I’ve seen thousands of people that when faced with scrutiny and challenges from outside the RNLI can – just like the team here at St Catherine’s – hold their heads high, do the RNLI proud and even though it’s not the easy thing, do the right thing.”

While many members and supporters of the former St Helier lifeboat crew including the man at the heart of the dispute, former coxswain Andy Hibbs, have spoken publicly – the RNLI has been reserved with the details on the fallout between the town crew and the charity.

Pictured: Community Lifesaving Director, Leesa Harwood, delivers her ‘RNLI New Year’ video message from St Catherine's lifeboat station. 

But this message may give an insight into the troubles that have gone on. Ms Harwood, who was in the island when the St Helier station was closed and the only all-weather lifeboat was removed in November, says in her message: “The charity was not set up to do the easy thing but to do the right thing. As long as people are selfless, trustworthy, dependable and courageous, we will ride those storms together.

“As long as we all understand keeping each other safe, behaving in line with our values and protect the integrity of the RNLI are all paramount, then we will – like the RNLI in Jersey – come through the storm better, stronger and facing future challenges with optimism” she adds.

The Community Lifesaving Director highlights the success of the St Catherine’s crew, lifeguards, recruitment drive and collaboration of RNLI and Fire Service. She also talks about the opening of a new support centre in the island which “cements our life-saving presence here for future generations.”

Pictured: The RNLI 'New Year' message refers to the difficult and challenging year they've had with the St Helier crew.

On a more serious note, Ms Harwood says some important issues need addressing: “It is not ok to breach policies, behave inappropriately and put ourselves, someone else’s or the RNLI’s reputation at risk.”

The RNLI received over 80 applications from people wanting to volunteer for the St Helier station. Ms Harwood says she is welcoming the new prospective crew members this week and will tell them: “How proud they should be to stand shoulder to shoulder with the most extraordinary group of lifesavers in the world.”

The message has been published nationally in the same week Senator Sarah Ferguson submitted a petition with nearly 7,000 signatures to the States Assembly in a bid to get their seal of approval for the new Independent Lifeboat Service.