Plans for new independent lifeboat service for Jersey set out

Credit: ITV Channel TV

The group behind a proposed new independent lifeboat service for Jersey set out their plans at a public meeting last night.

The event at the St Helier Town Hall, organised following the removal of the all-weather rescue boat from the island by the RNLI, was packed with 250 people.

Andy Hibbs, St Helier lifeboat crew's former Coxswain who was controversially sacked by the RNLI, led the debate. He stated that an independent service was the right way forward for the island after a "complete breakdown" in relations with the charity.

At the meeting, it was revealed:

  • A new independent service will cost up to £2.5 million to set up

  • The group want to agree a deal for a new lifeboat for the island early in the new year

  • Andy Hibbs believes there is no prospect of resolving the dispute with the RNLI

  • St Helier Constable, Simon Crowcroft, said he had "no warning" St Helier's all-weather lifeboat would be taken away

Questions from the floor ranged from where a new lifeboat service would be based, how the logistics of it would work to how would it funded.

In terms of funding, the group aiming to set up the service say donations plus, possibly, some States funding would be the likely model.

Further public meetings about the potential new lifeboat service will take place over the coming days.