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Jersey lifeboat in operation again using crew from UK

GUERNSEY'S lifeboat crew is no longer covering Jersey's waters after the St Helier station reopened, manned by a small crew from the UK.

Jersey lifeboat in operation again using crew from UK
Jersey lifeboat in operation again using crew from UK / Guernsey Press

The St Peter Port crew was tasked with responding to emergencies around the Channel Islands on Friday, when the Jersey volunteer crew walked out after the charity decided to sack the coxswain Andy Hibbs.

'As of 7pm Sunday, we have been told the Jersey lifeboat is back in operation, so we are no longer covering the island – that is all I know,' said local lifeboat operations manager Captain Peter Gill.

'I am pleased to hear it, it certainly takes some pressure off the crew.'

Some people had questioned how the Spirit of Guernsey would have been able to cover fully both jurisdictions.

However, there were no call-outs for either island.

'Fortunately it was a quiet weekend, there were no calls, and, given the number of people out on their boats and how warm it was, that was a very good outcome,' said Captain Gill.

In Jersey, there was one minor emergency which was dealt with by the Fire and Rescue Service's inshore boat, which rescued two women cut off by the rising tide.

The St Helier lifeboat is operational again because of a team of five volunteers sent from the UK to stand in for the former crew of 25.