JLA Makes First Sea Rescue 

Jersey's independent lifeboat service has made its first rescue.

The Jersey Lifeboat Association' Sir Max Aitkin III was called out on its maiden shout at 3.45pm on Sunday.

A French yacht with four people on board had suffered engine problems off Corbiere and needed towing back to shore.

The eight crew of the all-weather vessel had been at the Boat Show when the Coastguard called on them to assist.

Coxswain/mechanic Jamie Langlois had been on the JLA stand, dressed as the charity's mascot 'Lifeboat Jack':

"I had just literally got out of the costume and was getting undressed at the back of the stand, and the pager went off.  There were four crew members there and I said 'we've got out our first shout lads'.   
It was a case of just running through the crowds.  It was a fair old run from the Maritime Museum to the south end of the Albert Pier, but it was a pretty quick response.  It all went smoothly, like clockwork."

The boats arrived back in St Helier at 4.50pm.

The JLA became operation on 12th April following more than a year of work and over £150,000 in donations.