Harbour master told to steer clear of Jersey’s RNLI row
HARBOUR MASTER Captain Chad Murray has been told to ‘concentrate on Guernsey matters’ rather than investigate a breakdown in relations between the Jersey RNLI and St Helier lifeboat crew by campaigners for an independent service.
Last week it was announced that Captain Murray had been formally appointed to report to the States of Jersey on the rift between the UK-based charity and island-based volunteers, which developed last April following the sacking of coxswain Andy Hibbs.
Mr Hibbs, who had served for 24 years, said he was sacked after being accused of launching the lifeboat without authorisation. He was found not guilty and was later reinstated. The rest of the crew walked out in solidarity and only returned to action in June after the charity gave Mr Hibbs a full apology.
Tensions came to a head in November when the RNLI closed the St Helier station, relocating the George Sullivan all-weather lifeboat to Poole.
The charity is now training a new crew for the vessel, which has since returned to the island and it is hoped will be back in full service next month.
The Jersey Lifeboat Association claimed that the appointment of Captain Murray, who they view as biased towards the RNLI, to investigate the events of last year is part of a ‘political agenda’.
The group claims that Captain Murray is not independent because he needs to maintain good relations with the RNLI, States of Jersey and Ports of Jersey in his role as Guernsey harbour master.
Chairman of the JLA Ben Shenton said: ‘If I were a Guernsey resident and taxpayer I would be unhappy that the Guernsey Harbour master was being used by the Jersey Government in such a divisive political matter.
‘The Jersey Lifeboat Association was formed out of a desire for independence, honesty, and the protection and appreciation of volunteers.
‘We want a properly constituted Independent Committee of Inquiry organised in Jersey. We request that the Guernsey people ask their harbour master to concentrate on Guernsey matters, and refrain from unwanted Jersey political interventions at the behest of the Jersey Government.’
The group questioned whether Guernsey taxpayers would be happy to effectively fund the review.
A campaign for Jersey to set up its own independent service, spearheaded by the JLA, has gathered momentum and next month a 7,000-signature petition calling for the project to be formally backed by the government is due to be debated in the States of Jersey.
Senator Sarah Ferguson has lodged a proposition with the Jersey States for an independent committee of inquiry.
It would investigate ‘the circumstances leading to the formation of the Jersey Lifeboat Association, in order to investigate the actions taken by the RNLI and the Jersey government which led to the removal of the all-weather lifeboat’.
The senator also asks for the Chief Minister to select a chairman and members for the inquiry and to bring forward a proposition seeking States approval of the appointments.
