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An online petition to reinstate a former RNLI coxswain, whose dismissal led to public uproar and the resignation of 25 other members, has reached 1,500 signatures in under 24 hours.
It follows a gathering of hundreds of islanders, who met outside the St Helier lifeboat station on Sunday morning in a show of support. A separate petition was handed to Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier, who will meet with the Lieutenant Governor today in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Coxswain Andy Hibbs, who had been on the crew for almost 25 years, 14 of them as coxswain, and whose father was also coxswain before him, was relieved of his duty last Thursday for allegedly breaking the RNLI’s code of conduct – something he strongly denies, and of which he was cleared at an earlier disciplinary hearing.
Shortly after Mr Hibbs’ dismissal and the subsequent mass walkout, it is claimed that the national organisation changed all the station’s locks, stopping the crew from gaining access to the boats, even in the direst of emergencies.
Video: Scenes from Sunday's protest outside the St Helier Lifeboat Station.
The row has since made international news and according to former crew members, brought the whole organisation into disrepute, with rumours of alleged ‘bullying’ within the ranks.
The online Change.org petition argues that “true hero” Mr Hibbs should be reinstated, as he “will go to the end of the earth to always help others in difficulty”.
“Time to stand up for the people that are there 24/7, 365 days a year for us,” it reads.
It will now be delivered to the RNLI and Jersey States.
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