New lifeboat charity 'condemn' report into RNLI and crew breakdown

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The Jersey Lifeboat Association has 'condemned' a report into the breakdown in relations between the RNLI and the former St Helier Lifeboat crew.

An independent report into the dispute between the former crew and the UK charity, released yesterday, found "inconsistent oversight and management" from the RNLI, 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.

But the charity, set up by some of the former crew and it's supporters, say Captain Chad Murray's report 'contains a great deal of misleading and inaccurate information'.

In a statement to the media, the JLA claim 'many assertions in the report by Chad Murray lack credibility' and was based 'on hearsay'.

Former St Helier lifeboat crew member, Les Le Ruez said he 'had served under four coxswains and had never, at any time, felt he was bullied or intimidated.