Lifeboat Report: "A toxic culture, without significant oversight"

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An independent report into the dispute between the St Helier lifeboat crew and the RNLI has found "inconsistent oversight and management" from the UK charity, which left Coxswain Andy Hibbs effectively "in charge".

The report by Guernsey's Harbour Master, says that "a toxic culture" has existed since 2008.

It concludes that Andy Hibbs' decisions weren't questioned by the crew for fear of reprisals, and there was a culture of cyber bullying within the station.

Chad Murray's report is critical of all parties but confirms that throughout the events of 2017 "at no point were lives put at risk".

Conclusions of the 'Breakdown of Relationships within the Jersey Search and Rescue Community' report:

  • "Inconsistent oversight and management of the RNLI St Helier Lifeboat Station": a lack of leadership and guidance by the UK charity left the station to its own devices

  • "Local management of the RNLI St Helier Lifeboat Station has been largely ineffective": the management structure was not properly enforced, and the Coxswain was left in charge without oversight

  • "Lack of management": meant that the Coxswain was required to make decisions, but these may not have aligned with RNLI policies

  • "A toxic culture": members of the St Helier crew would not challenge the Coxswain for fear of reprisals

  • Inappropriate level of communications: between Jersey Coastguard and the RNLI have been primarily "at a local level", without RNLI HQ oversight

  • Informal complaint should not have been investigated: the complaint made by the former Jersey Harbour Master over a 'self-launch' should not have been investigated. It also led to conspiracy theories.

  • Successful mediation: The States of Jersey were success in mediating between the two parties but could have intervened at an earlier stage.

  • Satisfactory conduct: the conduct of the RNLI of the RNLI were satisfactory

  • Social media misuse: St Helier crew used social media to "make derogatory comments about the RNLI"

  • Removal of the lifeboat from St Helier: the decision to remove the lifeboat once relations had broken down, "did not result in risk to life"

  • Resume full service: the decision to re-establish full service provision should be recognized and congratulated

  • "No lives were put at risk": the events of 2017 were essentially "an internal staffing matter" and "at no point were lives at risk"

Recommendations of the report include:

  • RNLI management: the charity should continue to provide a more regular presence of management in Jersey

  • Defining relationships: memorandums of understanding should be established between Jersey Coastguard and the RNLI

  • Routine communications strategy: Jersey Coastguard and the RNLI should agree a strategy to prevent "blurred lines"

  • Search & Rescue: a committee should be formalized with representatives from boating associations, fishermen, ferry operators etc.

Guernsey's Harbour Master has conducted the report before a States debate on the independent lifeboat service this month.