Jersey's Chief Minister has apologised the crew of the Jersey Lifeboat Association for its eighteen month suspension from rescues.

In 2021, the JLA boat Sir Max Aitken III hit rocks near Noirmont Point which, after a report from the Harbourmaster, led to it being suspended from search and rescue operations.

This was until May 2023, when the service was formally re-instated. 

READ MORE: JLA regains search and rescue status

Earlier this year, the Jersey Complaints Board found the suspension had been 'excessive, unjust and oppressive'.

Lyndon Farnham, Jersey's Chief Minister

The Chief Minister has responded to the board's conclusions in a report the the States Assembly.

In it, Deputy Lyndon Farnham apologises for what happened:

"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."

Ben Shenton, Former JLA Chair

From the time of this suspension to the present day, the JLA has been adamant that the freeze of their operations was 'illegal'.

The lifeboat service's former Chairman, Ben Shenton, said this was because it was up to the Minister overseeing Ports of Jersey to investigate and make the call to stop their work, rather than the Harbour Authority. 

READ MORE: JLA: 'no legal or factual basis' to freeze operations

The Jersey Complaints Board judged the suspension was based 'largely on a report commissioned without lawful authority'. 

During the two year period the lifeboat teams were suspended, Mr Shenton wrote an open letter to the Harbour Authority, criticising its ack of communication with the organisation.

Deputy Farnham has acknowledged it took too long to resolve the dispute.

'It is 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."

Addressing the Complaints Board's three recommendations, Deputy Farnham says steps are being taken to improve communication.

"I am pleased that good progress has been made to strengthen the relationships between all the organisations named in this complaint.

"A Water Safety Forum group has been re-constituted by Ports of Jersey. It met in May for the first time and includes members of all search and rescue organisations.

"The aim of the group is to improve communication and create better cohesion, collaboration and understanding across the maritime rescue community."

Deputy Farnham says the suggestion that future complaints relating to maritime public service obligations are heard by the Minister rather than the Board of Ports of Jersey 'need further careful consideration' amid concerns there could be a conflict of interest.

He says lessons have been learned and 'strong progress' made, adding,  "I hope we can now all move forward".