Mike Jackson, who has been appointed to represent the 25-strong team which walked out in support of coxswain Andy Hibbs, has said that pages set up on Facebook and other platforms risk ‘inflaming a very delicate situation’.
It has now been more than ten weeks since the crew walked out after Mr Hibbs was sacked over an alleged breach of the RNLI Volunteer Code of Conduct. A crew from the UK is currently manning the St Helier station.
The RNLI has said that it aims to conclude the appeal against the dismissal of Mr Hibbs before the end of the month.
Mr Jackson also quashed rumours that appeared online claiming that the UK crew had to call in the St Catherine lifeboat to an incident at the Minquiers, as they did not have enough experience in Jersey waters to deal with the emergency.
‘I would rather keep the situation calm for the benefit of the local boating community, the local crew and the crew who have been brought over to man the station – they have had to leave their homes to be here.’
Mr Jackson also responded to comments made recently on another social media page which suggested that if there was no conclusion to the appeal soon, the option of forming an independent lifeboat or joining forces with the French would need to be looked at.
He said: ‘The RNLI are the right group – they run the St Catherine lifeboat and also run the lifeguard service. They have been in the Island for many years and provide a voluntary service at no cost to the taxpayer.
‘My understanding is that the French service is paid for – those who are rescued have to pay for it. I do not think that would be so palatable among the boating community.’
