St Helier

[JSYmartini]

No, Andy and the crew (rightly) took the side of the casualty vessel and therefore removed income from the State's vulture boat.

The problem with Jersey "Coastguard" is that it isn't really a coastguard, it's an operator who is part of the state's port control - the same port control who make money from sending their tug out to demand tows, at a cost.

It's a completely untenable situation, a long way from the days when there was a proper Coastguard at Corbiere.

I would not have expected such uninformed comments from someone in your position chanelyacht, disappointing.

How is Jersey Coastguard not really a Coastguard? They have complete responsibility for the safety, security and protection of local territorial waters. Their Marine Officers are trained to the same high standards as the UK Coastguard. Their ops room is kitted out with all the latest technology. They have over 70 assets available to them at the touch of a button as well as the SARIS SAR planning tool which is invaluable for casualty locating in the complicated tidal streams around the island.

But when it was a bloke at Corbiere sitting in an old Nazi German observation tower with a telephone and VHF, that was a "proper" coastguard?

For information, we've not had a "port control" for many years. "St.Helier VTS" is part of Jersey Coastguard or of Ports of Jersey at least and controls traffic movements within the port limits. It's officers are also trained to international standards and as such could work at any other VTS station like Southampton or Singapore for example.

The State's "vulture boat" is a 26m Damen Shoalbuster with a full time professional crew. They are commercially available for various types of work inc Towage and buoy maintenance. They are also a SAR asset of Jersey Coastguard and same as all other emergency responders, do not charge for this type of service.

The casualty vessel in question is the largest boat in the local fleet, probably over 100 tons. Despite claims from some that the vessel was in danger of running on to the Paternoster rocks, the wind was westerly F7-8 on the day in question, pushing the boat in the opposite direction. So which towing vessel is most suited to towing 100 ton of FV in a gale? A 26m ETV or a charity funded lifeboat? Hard work on those engines.

 

[Daydream believer]

The casualty vessel in question is the largest boat in the local fleet, probably over 100 tons. Despite claims from some that the vessel was in danger of running on to the Paternoster rocks, the wind was westerly F7-8 on the day in question, pushing the boat in the opposite direction. So which towing vessel is most suited to towing 100 ton of FV in a gale? A 26m ETV or a charity funded lifeboat? Hard work on those engines.

Did not earlier ( Unsubstantiated I accept ) reports suggest that the lifeboat had almost got the casualty vessel to the harbour & had the casualty not refused help ( at that point) from the other vessel anyway & was happy with the lifeboat towing ?
One of the points being that the other towing vessel never got a look in!!

 

[prv]

I can't find anything online that indicates an RNLI policy on seasickness for crew members or any mention of it as an issue.

One of the coxwains on the BBC "Saving Lives at Sea" documentary mentioned in passing that it's not uncommon for his crew to get sick in bad weather because they have no maritime experience beside the lifeboat and don't actually go out in rough seas all that often. The point wasn't examined further, probably because it detracts from the party line that anyone can be lifeboat crew.

(A policy that is of course necessary because if they only took professional seafarers they could never man the boats nowadays.)

Pete

 

[JSYmartini]

Did not earlier ( Unsubstantiated I accept ) reports suggest that the lifeboat had almost got the casualty vessel to the harbour & had the casualty not refused help ( at that point) from the other vessel anyway & was happy with the lifeboat towing ?
One of the points being that the other towing vessel never got a look in!!

The 25 knot ALB got to the casualty first of course but the tug was there to escort them for the majority of the trip back to St. Helier. One could argue that when a tow line has been connected then best to carry on rather than risk trying to transfer it. I was told that the tow actually parted at least once which would be a good opportunity to let the tug take over but obviously I wasn't there and can't claim to have all the facts.

 

[Sybarite]

I can't say you've convinced me, but I can't find anything online that indicates an RNLI policy on seasickness for crew members or any mention of it as an issue.

Work induced malady with compensation due?

 

[Daydream believer]

The 25 knot ALB got to the casualty first of course but the tug was there to escort them for the majority of the trip back to St. Helier. One could argue that when a tow line has been connected then best to carry on rather than risk trying to transfer it. I was told that the tow actually parted at least once which would be a good opportunity to let the tug take over but obviously I wasn't there and can't claim to have all the facts.

So the tow parted - Ok
But obviously the lifeboat had the power to tow the casualty. It just did not have a strong enough line. Or the tow was provided by the casualty & not the lifeboat. Which might be feasible if the skipper was worried the tug might grab it & claim salvage
All supposition of course- which is what keeps the thread alive :encouragement:

 

[Mark-1]

The 25 knot ALB got to the casualty first of course but the tug was there to escort them for the majority of the trip back to St. Helier. One could argue that when a tow line has been connected then best to carry on rather than risk trying to transfer it. I was told that the tow actually parted at least once which would be a good opportunity to let the tug take over but obviously I wasn't there and can't claim to have all the facts.

Of course, Mr Hibbs wasn't sacked (and reinstated) following the tow, he was sacked (and reinstated) following some e-mails he sent.

 

[Mark-1]

The State's "vulture boat" is a 26m Damen Shoalbuster with a full time professional crew. They are commercially available for various types of work inc Towage and buoy maintenance. They are also a SAR asset of Jersey Coastguard and same as all other emergency responders, do not charge for this type of service.

Thanks, that's new information as far as this thread goes.

 

[Tomahawk]

Of course, Mr Hibbs wasn't sacked (and reinstated) following the tow, he was sacked (and reinstated) following some e-mails he sent.

To keep things boiling..
So Mr Hibbs decided to send emails for the fun of it? Or was he replying to comments sent by the management?

 

[Mark-1]

To keep things boiling..
So Mr Hibbs decided to send emails for the fun of it? Or was he replying to comments sent by the management?

To save my fingers, read up the thread. There's a link to Andy Hibbs' account of what happened in his own words, which pretty much answers that.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Thanks, that's new information as far as this thread goes.

Humm might I say, is that not 'false facts' as far as this sorry episode goes ?

 

[Mark-1]

The State's "vulture boat" is a 26m Damen Shoalbuster with a full time professional crew. They are commercially available for various types of work inc Towage and buoy maintenance. They are also a SAR asset of Jersey Coastguard and same as all other emergency responders, do not charge for this type of service.

Thanks, that's new information as far as this thread goes.

Humm might I say, is that not 'false facts' as far as this sorry episode goes ?

I haven't checked, so it could be. It sounds plausible, which bit is false?