New lifeboat association ‘looks forward’ to working with RNLI

Friday 02 February 2018

An independent lifeboat service set up after the former St. Helier RNLI crew broke ties with the charity now say that they “look forward to working with them.”

The news comes as the new service – known as the Jersey Lifeboat Association (JLA) – was formally approved in the Royal Court this morning.

It was incorporated under an 1862 law, under the objectives of saving lives, promoting safety and relief from disaster in island waters, and helping educate others on safety at sea. 

Former Senator Ben Shenton is Chairman of the new organisation, and Ian Jones is Treasurer. Tim Cartwright and Simon O’Donoghue were appointed Secretary and Council Member respectively. Paul Battrick MBE will be chair of the Volunteers Committee.

The JLA’s creation came following a months-long conflict between the RNLI and the rescue service’s former St. Helier crew, which resulted in coxswain Andy Hibbs and his crew leaving their positions and vowing to set up their own service.

Pictured: The Jersey Lifeboat Association was legally approved in the Royal Court today.

The previous adversaries now seem set to work together, however. Chairman Ben Shenton said today that he was “pleased” that the RNLI had offered to assist in establishing the new service. “We look forward to working with them,” he said. 

The RNLI have since clarified the nature of the assistance they provided. In a statement, the charity said: "At the beginning of this year, the RNLI offered to provide information which would assist the Jersey Independent Lifeboat Committee in setting up, and operating, a safe lifesaving service. The information offered was advice on running costs for a station and a lifeboat as well as key regulators and areas of compliance which must be met in order to set up a lifeboat service.  

"This information was offered on the basis that if the Independent Committee is able to establish a lifesaving service, the RNLI will want to work collaboratively with them as it already does with independent stations around the British Isles. The RNLI seeks to provide the best lifesaving service possible for its communities and will look at all avenues available to achieve this. Our priority is always the protection of those who live on, and use, the coast."

With the JLA still yet to acquire a boat, it is unknown at this stage how rescue missions will be distributed between the RNLI, existing coastal authorities and the new service. 

Mr Shenton, who said he was “delighted” to be associated with the JLA, explained the new organisation’s key aims: “The charity aims to work closely with the community in a manner that only a locally managed organisation can, with monies donated fully accountable and identifiable. The appreciation and respect of volunteers shall be at the forefront of everything that we do.

Pictured: Mr Shenton is the Chairman of the new lifeboat service.

“The council members of the charity are delighted to have a strong body of volunteers working with us under the leadership of Paul Battrick MBE as Chair of the JLA Volunteers Committee. Our initial aim shall be to build up the membership and we give our assurance that we shall work closely with our members, we shall listen to our members, and we shall always respect our members.”

Politicians will this month decide whether to give the new service their stamp of approval. They will debate the matter on 20 February – a vote likely to be closely watched, with politicians making their choice just three months before the General Election.