RNLI Breaks Silence With Chilling Statement After Portsmouth Lifeboat Services Are Suspended Following ‘Wholly Unacceptable’ Abuse
The RNLI has temporarily stopped its lifeboat service in Portsmouth after volunteers were abused following anti-migrant protests in the city.
The decision came after RNLI volunteers were confronted and insulted for helping rescue people from a small boat in the English Channel. Videos shared on social media showed some protesters calling the lifeboat crews “traitors” after they helped bring a dinghy to safety.
The RNLI confirmed that Portsmouth Lifeboat Station has been temporarily out of service since September 7. The charity said it made the decision because it needed to protect the safety and wellbeing of its volunteers.
The incident happened after lifeboat crews helped a dinghy carrying around 140 people on September 6. The boat had travelled across the Channel from the direction of Cherbourg in France and entered UK waters near Portsmouth.
This was an unusual journey because most small boats carrying migrants normally cross from northern France towards Kent. Small boat arrivals much further west, including Hampshire, are much less common.
After helping the people on board the dinghy, RNLI crews were confronted by a group of men who questioned them about bringing migrants into the country.
One man shouted at the rescuers and asked how they felt about bringing illegal migrants into Britain. A volunteer replied that he had not personally brought anyone into the country.
The protesters continued shouting at the crew, calling them “traitors” and using other insulting words. Other videos shared online also appeared to show people shouting abuse at RNLI volunteers while they were on their lifeboat.
Following the incident, the RNLI issued security advice to its volunteers and staff. They were advised not to wear clothing showing the charity’s branding in some situations because of concerns about further abuse.
Jacqui Irons, the RNLI’s south-east head of region, said the charity has a responsibility to protect its volunteers. She explained that activity at Portsmouth station was paused while the organisation reviewed the safety and wellbeing of the crew and supported those involved in the September 6 incident.
However, the temporary closure does not mean there is no sea rescue service covering the Portsmouth area. Other nearby RNLI stations and independent lifeboat crews are continuing to provide emergency cover. HM Coastguard will decide which rescue team should respond when an emergency happens.
The RNLI said it hopes Portsmouth Lifeboat Station will return to normal operations soon.
The situation comes during a period of anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth. Demonstrators have marched through the city, while police have also been investigating disorder linked to some protests.
Police have been looking for people suspected of being involved in assaults and criminal damage after officers were injured and vehicles were damaged during one protest. Activists had reportedly tried to stop vehicles carrying migrants from leaving the area.
The RNLI has also received abuse online over its work rescuing people in the Channel.
RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes strongly criticised the abuse directed at volunteers. He said such treatment of people carrying out lifesaving work was unacceptable. He also said there had been misinformation and misunderstanding about the role of the RNLI and why its crews respond to emergencies in the Channel.
The charity’s main responsibility is saving lives at sea, regardless of who needs help or how they came to be in danger.
Anti-migrant demonstrations have also taken place around other RNLI locations. On September 9, a small protest was held outside the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.
For now, Portsmouth’s RNLI station remains temporarily paused while the charity reviews the safety of its volunteers, although emergency rescue cover for the surrounding coastline continues.
