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Charter boats will be used as and when needed by the States while the island’s fishing patrol vessel – Leopardess – is out of action for refurbishment and a technical survey.
The States have also explained why a committee president with the mandate for Sea Fisheries was unaware the boat had been out of service all this year.
Political oversight for the boat was quietly transferred from Economic Development to Home Affairs on 1 January, but the Leopardess continues to be used for law enforcement and sea fisheries purposes, as well as any other “operational services” required by the States.
Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow said the last code compliance certificate for the Leopardess was issued on 15 August 2023, but this was only temporary and that expired on the final day of the year.
He said the Harbourmaster hasn’t been able to issue a new certificate for the boat since then, even temporarily.
Deputy Prow said this cannot be done “until an appropriate certifying authority, recognised by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, conducts a full survey of the vessel”.
Home then applied for funding – which could rise to £560,000 for refurbishment and the survey alongside contingency - which has been approved by Policy & Resources. The States was told this cash would come from the seized asset fund.
He added that the vessel should be back in service later this year, but until then “contingency plans are in place which will include the chartering of suitable vessels as and when required to ensure services can discharge essential maritime enforcement functions.
“This arrangement has happened historically from time to time when the Leopardess has been unavailable.
“The intention across government including Bailiwick Law Enforcement, the Committee for Home Affairs and the Committee for Economic Development is to maximise the operational value of the Leopardess.”
Pictured: Deputy Rob Prow, President of Home Affairs which now has responsibility for the Leopardess.
Issues with compliance certificates for the vessels were first aired in the States Assembly in July 2023.
Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder asked Deputy Peter Roffey, President of the STSB, why his committee hadn’t been notified that the boat was out of action due to having its operating licence withdrawn.
Deputy Roffey said the boat could still be used with certain adjustment as approved by the Harbourmaster, and said he would investigate how well communicated the discrepancy was to Economic Development and Home Affairs.
The Leopardess was issued a temporary operating certificate the following month which was valid until 31 December.
In the States last week (Wednesday 20 March), Deputy Inder revealed that Economic Development were unaware the boat had been out of action this year following parliamentary questions from Deputy Adrian Gabriel.
This led to accusations from some he had misled the States given the awareness of certification issues in July 2023, but Deputy Inder maintains that he was not made aware of the certificate expiring after it was issued in August 2023.
“The Leopardess went out of coding on/around December last year. I was unaware until the day I stated (Tuesday night) and made aware by Deputy Gabriel,” he told Express.
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