At least 25 volunteers have expressed an interest in working at the station, the RNLI say, since it was closed down and its crew disbanded earlier this month.
Liam Krige, RNLI area lifesaving manager for the Channel Islands, said that some of those who had put their names forward were completely new to the RNLI, while others had supported the charity in the past.
‘An open day will be held on 8 and 9 December. As part of the recruitment process we will see what roles people can participate in and what roles are suited to their lifestyles. We want to hear from everyone,’ he said. On Wednesday the newly established Jersey Independent Voluntary Lifeboat Service committee held its first public hearing at the Town Hall. The committee, which includes St Helier’s former coxswain Andy Hibbs, wants to establish its own lifeboat service based at Albert Pier.
Asked if the RNLI would be able to work alongside an independent crew, Mr Krige said: ‘The RNLI is 200 years old and has a long history of saving lives at sea.
‘Lots of that has been working with independent stations. I don’t see why that would be any different in Jersey. The RNLI is fully committed to providing a station to St Helier, as well as the lifeguard service and working alongside the St Catherine’s Station.’
He added that St Helier’s all-weather vessel, George Sullivan, which was taken to Poole after the station was closed, would return to the Island shortly. No date has been set for when it will be operational again.
Earlier this week States Fire and Rescue Service staff and an RNLI lifeguard were at the Albert Pier training to use the RNLI’s inshore vessel, David Page.
Mr Krige said he hoped to get the inshore boat back in action ‘as soon as possible’ or by mid-December, initially using Fire and Rescue Service personnel and volunteers from the St Catherine’s station while new recruits received training.
Meanwhile, a We Support the RNLI Jersey Facebook page has been set up. It has about 350 members.
Anyone interested in volunteering should attend the open days at the St Helier Lifeboat Station on the Albert Pier between 4 pm and 8 pm on 8 December and 9 am and 4 pm on 9 December. Those who cannot attend can email volunteering@rnli.org.uk or call 01202 663346.
