22nd June 2018 – A report was received from a member of the Public on the cliffs above St Martins Point that they had observed what appeared to be a survival suit in the water 300yds offshore. At the distance involved, they were unable to ascertain if there was anyone in the suit.

An “all ships” call was put out by Guernsey Coastguard asking for any vessels in the area to investigate the sighting, this was raised to a Pan Pan (Urgency) Broadcast, but unfortunately no one was able to assist.

The Spirit of Guernsey tasked to investigate

1854 Lifeboat at the Pier Heads bound for St Martins Point

1902 On Scene

Object identified as a yellow casual jacket, identification details were found in the jacket and the person involved contacted to ensure that everyone one was safe.

Lifeboat stood down.  — 1922 Lifeboat returns to St Peter Port.

St Peter Port lifeboat leaving its mooring – photo by Tony Rive

Lunchtime on Tuesday 5th June, the St Peter Port Lifeboat, The Spirit of Guernsey, was launched to assist yacht Jambo 6 miles to the north of Guernsey.  A crew member onboard had suffered a head injury and the yacht had been demasted.

The Spirit of Guernsey crew were alerted at 1154 and proceeded to sea with two St John Ambulance Paramedics onboard. The injured crew member was transferred to the Lifeboat and Jambo was taken under tow.

The Spirit of Guernsey and Jambo arrived in St Peter Port at 1400 whereby the injured crew member was transferred to hospital.  

Official correction – 8th June

The media group message which issued on 5^th June 2018 may have implied that the yacht “Jambo” was demasted prior to the arrival of the St Peter Port Lifeboat on scene and that this was the cause of the injury to the crew member.

This is not the case. The injury to the crew member happened prior to the vessel being demasted. The demasting occurred as the lifeboat came alongside the yacht to transfer the Paramedics.

Sincere apologies for any offence or confusion caused by this inaccuracy.

Pic by Tony Rive 05-06-18
The St Peter Port Lifeboat “Spirit of Guernsey” ploughs through overfallls north of Roustel Beacon as it heads north towards a small Yacht that had become dismasted approximately 6 miles Northeast of Guernsey.

Pic by Tony Rive 05-06-18

Pic by Tony Rive 05-06-18

Tracking by Digimap

On Saturday 2nd June, 2018

1918 A call was received at JESSC, from a member of the public that a man was cut off by the rising tide on rocks 100m offshore from Bordeaux Harbour on the east coast. As there was still more than two hours before High Water it was decided to go Lifeboat Red to ensure the safety of the casualty on the rocks.

1924 In the interim a local fisherman, who was moving his fishing boat into the inner harbour was able to recover the casualty from the rocks and brought him to the pier at the south side of Bordeaux Inner Harbour.

Apart from having soggy trousers from his exploit on the rocks, the non-local gentleman came to no harm, and was educated as to the range of tide that is experienced in our local waters!