THE Chief Minister has said sorry for the “concern and disruption” caused by suspending the Jersey Lifeboat Association in 2021.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham has responded to the States Complaints Board report, published in June, which said that the charity’s suspension was “excessive, unjust and oppressive”.
His apology marks the final chapter in a long-running saga that began when the charity’s search-and-rescue activities were frozen by Ports of Jersey in December 2021.
Its all-weather vessel Sir Max Aitken III hit rocks near Noirmont Point a month earlier while the crew was on its way to help a French yacht.
Although the JLA’s licence to operate was eventually reinstated in May 2023, the suspension came under heavy criticism from its former chair – Ben Shenton – who argued there was “no legal or factual basis” to freeze either of its vessels.
Summarising Mr Shenton’s case, June’s States Complaint Board report also noted that he took issue with – among other things – the Ports of Jersey-commissioned report on the accident by Marico Marine which he said contained a “number of inaccuracies” and broke various guidelines.
Deputy Farnham said in this week’s ministerial response that it was a “matter of regret” that “the disagreements have continued for a protracted period and that matters were not dealt with as swiftly or effectively as they could have been”.
“When it comes to safety of lives at sea, we must ensure there is absolute clarity of understanding for all sides to enable stakeholders to maintain their commitment to the highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability,” he added.
Deputy Farnham responded in particular to the board’s three recommendations.
He agreed that further discussions should be undertaken to clarify the roles and requirements to avoid similar disputes in future and, if necessary, to potentially amend the Public Service Obligation agreement.
He also accepted that the chief coastguard should prepare a regular report directly to the Economic Development Minister on activities of the Jersey Coastguard.
However, he said the recommendation that complaints related to maritime public service obligations should be heard by the minister rather than Ports of Jersey needed “further careful consideration”.
“It is important that transparent complaints procedures exist in all areas of public service to provide appropriate accountability,” he said.
Deputy Farnham further said that a Water Safety Forum had been reconstituted by Ports of Jersey and it met in May for the first time.
The forum includes members of all search and rescue organisations and aims to improve communication and create better cohesion, collaboration and understanding across the maritime rescue community.
Deputy Farnham continued: “Since taking office in January, I have visited both lifeboat teams at their harbour bases, met their volunteers and toured their vessels. Their dedication to duty is unquestionable and both teams expressed a desire to move forward positively and collaboratively.
“I am sorry that this series of events has caused so much concern and disruption. I would like to apologise to those men and women involved in this matter who regularly put their own lives at risk and go to sea in in the most treacherous conditions to save others.
“Given what we have learnt from the past and the strong progress that has been made, I hope we can now all move forward.”
