£250,000 Refit and Makeover Planned for Lifeboat
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
One of Jersey’s lifeboats is set to be taken out of service for around two months while it undergoes an extensive refit costing £250,000.
The Jersey Lifeboat Association’s (JLA) all-weather vessel, the Sir Max Aitken III, will receive new engines along with a full refurbishment of its dated 1980s interior. The charity said the work will be paid for entirely through public donations.
All elements of the upgrade will be carried out on the island, using local engineers and volunteer support. The JLA said keeping the project in Jersey was a deliberate decision to support island skills and businesses.
The Sir Max Aitken III first entered service in 1987 and joined the JLA fleet in 2017, providing emergency cover to island communities. Senior coxswain Alain Baudains said the vessel was due a major update after nearly four decades in operation.
“The engines are no longer economically viable and sourcing parts has become increasingly difficult,” he said. “We’re also looking to improve fuel efficiency and move towards greener technology, bringing the boat closer to modern standards.”
Since 2018, volunteer crews operating the Sir Max Aitken III and the charity’s inshore lifeboat have responded to more than 100 emergency callouts and helped save 17 lives.
While the refit is under way, the JLA’s second vessel will remain operational, supported as needed by RNLI Jersey’s all-weather lifeboat.
Crew member and trainee engineer Ian Esnouf said the refit would benefit more than just the lifeboat service. “All the work is being done by islanders,” he said. “By keeping the project local, we’re ensuring the funding supports Jersey’s marine trades, from shipbuilding to chandlery suppliers.”
He added that the association hoped the project would give something back to the island that has long supported the charity through donations and volunteering
