Chief minister apologises to lifeboat crew

Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham has apologised to members of the Jersey Lifeboat Association in a recent report

The chief minister for Jersey has apologised to the Jersey Lifeboat Association (JLA) for the way its operation was suspended following an accident.

A JLA vessel, the Sir Max Aitken, hit rocks near Noirmont Point in November 2021 and an investigation was launched by the harbourmaster.

As a result, JLA could not deploy to rescue people who were in danger.

In a report to the States, Deputy Lyndon Farnham said he was sorry the series of events had caused "such concern and disruption".

'Move forward'

Earlier this year, a complaints panel ruled the suspension was "excessive, unjust and oppressive". The JLA's licence to operate was reinstated in May 2023.

Deputy Farnham said: "I am sorry that this series of events has caused so much concern and disruption.

"I would like to apologise to those men and women involved in this matter who regularly put their own lives at risk and go to sea in in the most treacherous conditions to save others."

He said given what had been learnt from the past and the "strong progress that has been made", he hoped all authorities could "move forward".

'Progress'

Deputy Farnham also said a "water safety forum" was re-constituted by Ports of Jersey and includes members of all search-and-rescue organisations.

He said the first meeting was in May and the group's goal was to "improve communication and create better cohesion, collaboration and understanding across the maritime rescue community".

"I have visited both lifeboat teams at their harbour bases, met their volunteers and toured their vessels. Their dedication to duty is unquestionable and both teams expressed a desire to move forward positively and collaboratively," he added.

"As the board acknowledges in its conclusion, progress has been made to ensure the JLA remains a core asset in local search and rescue operations."