But Deputy Steve Luce said the Island’s government will back anyone who can provide lifesaving cover on the seas and rejected claims that he and the Council of Ministers were taking the RNLI’s side in the dispute between the charity and its former crew of 25 volunteers.
On a day when the newly-established Jersey Independent Voluntary Lifeboat Service committee announced that it had found a new boat, the minister said they should be under no illusion that such an aspiration was a ‘huge undertaking’.
He told the Assembly: ‘Let me be very clear. The States are backing anybody who is prepared to come forward at the quickest possible moment with a lifeboat and a crew, the right kit and licences, everything that is required by the Harbourmaster.
‘In that regard, last week I met not only with the Institution but the ex-crew and on both occasions support was offered to do whatever it takes to get a lifeboat back in St Helier as quickly as possible.
‘My one and only priority is not to look back and take sides but to make sure we get a lifeboat back in St Helier for the benefit of the community.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Kevin Lewis made an offer to the RNLI that he would sleep aboard the George Sullivan all-weather vessel if the charity bring it back to Jersey as soon as possible to mitigate against any concerns about security.
He also called for the RNLI and the former crew to sit around a table and iron out their issues.
The RNLI closed the St Helier station, disbanded the crew and took the all-weather boat to Poole earlier this month after the volunteers signalled their intention to go solo.
Deputy Luce said he feared it was too late to talk and it was time to look to the future.
Elsewhere, Senator Sarah Ferguson, a member of the Jersey Independent Voluntary Lifeboat Service committee, asked why the States had agreed to the removal of the all-weather boat.
Deputy Luce said it was not up to the States but an RNLI decision that was made after consultation with various parties to ensure adequate cover would still be available.
Liam Krige, RNLI area Lifesaving Manager for the Channel Islands, said: ‘We’ve already had over 25 people express interest in volunteering at St Helier.
‘That, added to the existing RNLI Jersey volunteers that we’re already training, is fantastic. I’m grateful to all those who’ve come forward and to the community for supporting them.’
The George-Sullivan is due to return to Jersey by December.
