St John's inshore rescue ribs 'operational before summer'

The two ribs were withdrawn from service in December pending a review into the ongoing safety of the operation. It followed the move from an employee-based rescue service to a volunteer-centred one.

Ali Marquis, assistant chief officer of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, confirmed on Thursday that the organisation was on target to bring back the boats before summer.

'The review has looked at all aspects of the inshore rescue boats, including the safety of operations, to ensure that St John can continue to meet the requirement as a search and rescue resource,' she said.

'The time and effort that each volunteer puts into assisting St John is much appreciated, as is the support from the public in the form of donations.

'I can confirm that St John has provided Guernsey's Inshore Rescue Boats for over 50 years and is on target to be fully operational again before the summer.'

A number of measures have been carried out as part of the review, Ms Marquis said, including an updated memorandum of understanding between Guernsey Coastguard and SJARS being agreed, as well as an updated competency framework in line with the RNLI.