29 May 2008 - RNLI chairman Sir Jock Slater, left, with cox Buz White and some of the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew. RNLI chairman Sir Jock Slater visited the Guernsey lifeboat crew yesterday as part of his tour of Britain’s stations.

Sir Jock also gave a talk at the Guernsey Lifeboat Luncheon, where he presented a certificate of appreciation to Edward Fattorini, chairman of the local RNLI supporters’ association, for his work in that role and for the Train One, Save Many appeal.

This was Sir Jock’s second visit to Guernsey – the first was six years ago. He is also a close friend of Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon, who served under him as Naval Secretary when Sir Jock was First Sea Lord. Sir Jock has toured 150 lifeboat stations across the British Isles and the next stops are Jersey and Alderney.

The local crew took him out for a man-overboard exercise. ‘I enjoy meeting the crews and thanking them for the fantastic job that they do,’ he said. ‘I think the Guernsey crew are doing an obviously good job to ensure the service is second to none. Every lifeboat station is different – so much depends on the support of the crew. I think you have a very good boat in the Spirit of Guernsey, but it would be good if it could be moored alongside the station. But time will tell.’

Since Sir Jock became chairman in 2004, he has seen and implemented many changes. He opened a Lifeboat college in Poole and also started an operation on the Thames. He backed the introduction of lifeguards on 110 beaches in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Pembrokeshire.

‘Ninety people lose their life along the coast every year so the implementation of lifeguards is hugely important, especially with extreme sports.’

He said it could be an option for Guernsey, but it would be up to the States to contact the RNLI for a free risk assessment.

Jurat Len Moss, chairman of the St Peter Port branch of the RNLI, said he was delighted that Sir Jock had accepted the invitation to give a talk to members.

‘I think it is really important that he has taken the time to come across and spend time at the station talking to the lifeboat crew.

‘I think it’s an indication of the high regard that the management of the RNLI feel for the St Peter Port station, which has some of the most highly-decorated crew in the service.’

http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2008/05/29/sir-jocks-station-tour-takes-in...

By Aimee Le Cocq