Mass resignation of St Helier Lifeboat crew

A Jersey campaign group has defended its suggestion that people avoid donating to the RNLI at the Jersey Boat Show.

Jersey Action Group has urged visitors to the annual maritime festival not to pledge any cash to the charity, following the controversial sacking of the St Helier lifeboat coxswain, Andy Hibbs.

The entire lifeboat crew resigned from their roles following his dismissal earlier this month and Mr Hibbs has lodged an appeal against the decision.

A protest, to show support to the crew, has been arranged outside the Lifeboat station on Monday.

• WATCH: John Baker asks people not to give the charity any money...

Organisers of a protest, due to be held on Monday to show support for the St Helier lifeboat crew, say they do not expect it to disrupt Jersey's Boat Show.

Islanders are being asked to gather at the Lifeboat Station from 12 noon on Bank Holiday Monday.

It follows the resignation of the entire lifeboat crew in response to the sacking of their Coxswain, Andy Hibbs.

WATCH: John Baker, from the Jersey Action Group, says the protest is not meant to distract people from the maritime festival.

• READ MORE: RNLI to review controversial coxswain sacking

There will be another peaceful protest against the RNLI's decision to sack St Helier's Coxswain at the Boat Show this weekend.

Islanders are being encouraged to join the gathering at Albert Pier on Monday at noon, to show their support for Andy Hibbs and the crew members who resigned in protest at his sacking.

It comes after Lifeboat Coxswain, Andy Hibbs, was asked to stand down by the charity for breaching the RNLI code of conduct.

Following the decision all 25 volunteers at St Helier's lifeboat station walked out after claims Mr Hibbs, "has been bullied by senior management".

The organiser of this event, Paul Battrick also arranged the previous gathering, where hundreds of islanders came together.

Jersey Coastguard is reassuring islanders that they will continue to provide coverage of Jersey’s territorial waters over the Easter weekend.

The reassurance comes after last week's mass resignation of the St Helier Lifeboat Crew after their Coxswain, Andy Hibbs, was sacked by the RNLI.

They are urging all those out on the water, or making use of the coastline, to do so safely.

Jersey Coastguard say "stay safe, don't take any unnecessary risks and enjoy the weekend.”

A former member from Jersey's lifeboat crew has written to the States asking for answers over the RNLI dispute.

It comes after the St Helier crew have told the RNLI they will not return to work until coxswain Andy Hibbs is reinstated.

In a letter to the States Paul Battrick, former St Helier RNLI, says the Council of Ministers "gave their full support" for the crew at the silent protest on Sunday.

He says that now "the recent public opinion seems to be that there is a feeling that there has been a change in their direction".

Mr Battrick is therefore presenting a list of questions to the States in the hope of "putting the public’s mind at ease".