Guernsey fisheries protection vessel Leopardess out of action

Guernsey's Leopardess has been "out of code" since the start of the year

Guernsey's sea fisheries protection vessel is currently out of action, a States deputy has confirmed.

The Leopardess should, under Guernsey law, have a code compliance certificate to go to sea.

However, Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder said he had been told the vessel had been "out of code" since the start of 2024.

Mr Inder said the situation left him "unhappy" and he was concerned the boat could be out of action for a year.

The Leopardess is used by Guernsey's States to patrol their territorial waters and is often used by law enforcement as part of customs operations.

Deputy Neil Inder said he had also sent a number of e-mails to staff to establish what exactly has happened

Rules set out by Guernsey Harbours in 2019 require all small commercial boats to have a coding compliance certificate to ensure they are safe to use.

Last year, concerns were raised about it not having one before it was granted a temporary licence.

BBC Guernsey understands the Leopardess has been out of action since New Year's Eve and is expected to be sent to the UK for a survey and maintenance work.

Mr Inder said he only found out about the situation after being told by another deputy.

"Unfortunately I found out through Deputy Adrian Gabriel last night who is on Environment and Infrastructure who in an operational update was told the Leopardess had been out of code since the start of this year," he said.

"Economic Development has a mandate in terms of sea fisheries, the first time I found out was last night."

Questions asked

In his role as president of Economic Development, Mr Inder said he had asked a number of questions of States officials about how the island's sea fisheries are being protected.

He said: "Right now she is out of code, sitting in the pool and she is going somewhere for a refit which is being funded by the seized assets fund.

"To me it looks like we could end up a year without a protection vessel."

Mr Inder said he had also sent a number of e-mails to staff to establish what exactly has happened.