Jersey RNLI all-weather lifeboat 'George Sullivan' undergoes engine repairs

Although not affecting the vessel’s performance and vital work in saving lives at sea around the coast of the Channel Islands, where it has been involved in many rescues already this year, it was decided that this was the right time to get the repair work completed before its condition deteriorated.

As well as operating 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, the RNLI also has a reserve fleet of all-weather lifeboats and inshore lifeboats, so another Tamar class vessel the Victor Freeman, was sent to St Helier to provide cover while the George Sullivan is under repair.

The Victor Freeman arrived at St Helier on 4 June and two hours later the George Sullivan left the island, arriving in Poole on 5 June.

‘The great strength of the RNLI is that we’ve got a national network, which is very well resourced, so if for any reason a lifeboat needs to be repaired we are able to bring in a similar vessel, meaning we are able to maintain our emergency cover, run by our local volunteers, 24/7,’ said Area Lifesaving Manager Liam Krige.

‘We also have the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre which is a world-class facility for not only building, but repairing and refitting lifeboats, so it’s the ideal place for getting the engine on the George Sullivan repaired as quickly as possible. If it turns out that a replacement engine is needed that can also be fitted there.’

‘We have a growing number of new local volunteers at the station, so having this work completed on the George Sullivan will also mean that we will be able to increase the number of training exercises we carry out in the waters around the island, including those undertaken alongside the RNLI’s inshore lifeboats at St Helier and St Catherine and our RNLI lifeguards who patrol six beaches around the island and make up a comprehensive lifesaving operation,’ he added.

Reports suggesting that the George Sullivan is undergoing repair work after running aground are completely unfounded. Any such incident would be required to be reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and no such incident has been reported.

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