Appeal to leave Jersey lifebuoys in place for emergencies

Coastguard Luke de la Haye with a lifebuoy at Le Hocq - one of 128 in Jersey

People in Jersey are being asked to leave lifebuoys in place after some of the potentially life-saving equipment was removed.

Jersey Coastguard said the island's 128 lifebuoys should only be thrown into the sea in response to an emergency.

It said there had been a "spate" of lifebuoys being discarded into the harbour in the last week.

The service said this could have serious consequences as the equipment may not be available when needed.

Dan Downey, coastguard and VTS manager, said: "Discarding a lifebuoy into the harbour, when it isn't needed, is vandalism and could cause death or life-threatening injury if the equipment is then not available when it's really needed by someone who's in trouble in the water.

"We would appeal to those who have been discarding this vital life-saving equipment to think again before jettisoning lifebuoys into the harbour.

"This deliberate, senseless misuse could have fatal consequences."

The service said the lifebuoys were regularly checked, but anyone who saw one missing or damaged should call the coastguard on 01534 447705.