St John withdraws inshore rescue boats
ST JOHN'S emergency inshore rescue boats have been withdrawn from service pending a review into the ongoing safety of the operation.
The review coincides with one of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service's two ribs being sent to the UK for maintenance, reducing the service's ability to respond on a 24/7 basis, and concerns raised internally about safety a month ago, it has confirmed.
'The review comes following the move to a voluntary provision of this service and the need to recruit new volunteers. St John has to be able to provide the Guernsey Coastguard with an assurance that the inshore rescue boats remain available and resourced with competently trained crews on a 24/7 basis,' a spokesman said.
'The review is looking at all aspects of the inshore rescue boat operations including the safety of operations to ensure that St John can continue to meet the requirement as a search-and-rescue resource.
