The St Helier inshore boat – crewed by RNLI volunteers and RNLI-trained Fire and Rescue Service staff – was sent out at about 5.45 pm following reports that a boat had suffered mechanical problems. Another vessel which was with the boat began to tow it back to the Island but ran out of fuel.
The lifeboat crew met the two vessels off St Brelade’s Bay and towed the boat which had run out of fuel back to St Helier Harbour, while escorting the vessel with mechanical problems. A passing fishing boat had also stood by while the lifeboat crew began the rescue.
The temporary crew is providing cover for the town station until a permanent RNLI team is formed. It was set up after the UK-based charity disbanded the former crew following a long-running dispute.
Meanwhile, UK-based and local volunteers are on stand-by to crew the all-weather George Sullivan lifeboat in the event of severe weather. The former lifeboat crew, backed by a number of Islanders, are in the process of forming an independent lifeboat service.
