RNLI chairman Sir Jock Slater, left, with cox Buz White and some of the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0585365)

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.’