Harbour master criticised by JLA for his report on RNLI
GUERNSEY’S harbour master has come under fire from the Jersey Lifeboat Association after his report on the dispute concerning the RNLI.
Captain Chad Murray was asked by the States of Jersey to compile the report where he concluded that the UK-based RNLI did not manage the station properly over a long period of time and did not investigate an informal complaint about coxswain Andy Hibbs.
Chairman of the newly-formed JLA, Ben Shenton, said the report was largely based on opinion.
‘The Jersey Lifeboat Association has produced an evidence-based report stating the facts, whereas the “Chad Murray opinion” is a good example of how not to undertake an investigation.
‘It gives the impression that the first thing written was the conclusion.
The public just want to know the truth and this is just an annoying diversion designed to mislead.
‘I wish the government would stop playing these stupid games and start displaying some professional maturity and integrity. They seem petrified of a proper committee of inquiry – why is that?’ he said.
Captain Murray responded to the criticism by saying he was asked to compile the report which he had now done, meaning his involvement was complete.
He found that the informal complaint made by the then harbour master to the RNLI ‘should not have been investigated and led to conspiracy theories around the matter’.
He went on to say that when the issue was concluded and the crew returned to duty, concerns were raised over the ability of some members to put ‘the matter in the past without seeking revenge’.
The report noted that no lives were put at risk during the dispute.
The St Helier station reopened last year when the inshore lifeboat was brought back into service.
The all-weather lifeboat is due to be back in full service within weeks and a training programme for new recruits is under way.
