Robin Fitzgerald

I have always had a love of the sea and it was during my time in the Jersey Sea Cadets Corp that really embedded this. While within the Cadets I was fortunate to gain my instructors certificate in both power boating and sailing. I wanted to put these qualifications to good use, so I joined the RNLI. I have been a crew member since 1997 and in 2003 I was passed out as a helmsman. During my time in the RNLI I have been on various shouts but my most memorable would have to be being on the helm of the St Helier ILB when the passenger ferry running between St Malo and Jersey collided with a French fishing vessel in 2011. The visibility was very poor due to the dense fog and we were tasked to assist with the search and recovery of those that were onboard the fishing vessel. We arrived on scene to be informed that all of the fisherman were accounted for. One had been picked up by the passenger ferry while the other was pulled from the water by a French fishing vessel. With the condition of the second casualty unknown we decided to look for the vessel. After a brief search the vessel was located, and my crew sprang into action. The casualty was then transferred back to Jersey on the ALB. For this service I received a framed letter of thanks from the RNLI’s Operations Director.