Environment Minister: lifeboat dispute 'frankly unacceptable'

  • Channel

Jersey's Environment Minister has commented ahead of a States debate on the new Jersey Lifeboat Association (JLA).

In a statement to other politicians, Deputy Steve Luce calls the dispute between the RNLI and the former St Helier lifeboat crew "frankly unacceptable".

Deputy Luce also calls on the newly-formed JLA to "stop their attacks" on other members in the Search and Rescue community.

The JLA are calling for politicians to support a Committee of Inquiry "in order that we can move forward".

Credit: ITV Channel TV

  • "All parties made mistakes"

Deputy Luce says both the RNLI and the former lifeboat crew made mistakes in the last 12 months, and that the operational disputes arose from "personal squabbles".

  • "We cannot go back"

He says the relationship is broken and nothing will be gained from forcing the two parties to re-engage.

Deputy Luce also says a public inquiry will "neither change nor improve the current situation".

  • "...the JLA can stop their attacks"

Deputy Luce says a number of States members, mariners and the public have been pressured by the JLA to choose sides.

He calls on the JLA to focus on providing Search and Rescue work.

  • "The JLA must desist in trying to replace the RNLI in Jersey."

This is not in the interest of islanders, says Deputy Luce and the JLA should work towards helping the "world class" search and rescue assets on the island.

In response, the JLA have accused Deputy Luce of planting "an incorrect assumption in the minds of the public" and call his statement "disappointing".

Credit: ITV Channel TV

  • "...nothing could be further from the truth"

The JLA say they do not want to replace the RNLI, instead they wish to provide a 24/7 independent resource to "compliment existing operations".

  • Meetings were declined

Meetings with Guernsey's Harbourmaster Chad Murray were declined, according to the JLA.

No meeting has been held with Deputy Luce "given that he technically has no responsibility for Search and Rescue facilities".

A meeting with the RNLI is currently being re-arranged.

States members are expected to vote on whether there will be an independent inquiry this week.