RNLI Gives Reasons and Explains Why It Will Continue Rescuing People at Sea, Including Illegal Boat Migrants Crossing to the UK

The RNLI has received a significant rise in donations after its volunteers faced criticism and abuse over the rescue of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel.

The lifesaving charity has been operating for more than 200 years. Founded in 1824, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution provides rescue services around the UK and Irish coasts and says it has saved around 150,000 lives since it was established.

Much of the organisation’s work depends on financial support from the public. Around 65% of its funding comes from money left to the charity in people’s wills, while about 30% comes from donations.

The RNLI also relies heavily on volunteers. Most of the people who crew its lifeboats are unpaid volunteers who are prepared to respond when someone is in danger at sea. The organisation operates more than 400 lifeboats from 238 lifeboat stations, while paid lifeguards also provide safety services at nearly 250 beaches.

However, the RNLI has faced growing criticism from some people because its lifeboat crews have been involved in rescuing migrants in distress while attempting to cross the English Channel.

Last year, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the RNLI as a “taxi service for illegal immigration”, criticising the charity’s involvement in migrant rescues.

The issue became heated again in Portsmouth on Sunday night when a group of protesters, some wearing balaclavas, directed angry comments at RNLI volunteers.

According to reports, protesters called the volunteers “traitors to this country”, “scum” and “yellowbellies” because of the charity’s role in helping migrants who get into difficulty while crossing the Channel.

Despite the criticism, the RNLI has made clear that its main responsibility is saving lives at sea. The organisation says its crews will help people who are in danger regardless of who they are, where they come from or why they are at sea.

The charity said its volunteers will continue rescuing people “without judgement or preference”, following the same lifesaving principle it has maintained for more than two centuries.

Following the abuse directed at volunteers in Portsmouth, the RNLI said it had experienced a significant increase in donations and had also welcomed new supporters.

A spokesperson for the charity said the RNLI was extremely grateful for the increased support, explaining that donations from the public are essential for keeping its lifesaving services operating.

The spokesperson said there had been a “significant increase” in donations during the week and that a number of new people had also decided to support the organisation.

However, the controversy has not resulted only in increased support. The RNLI revealed that some existing supporters and members of the public had contacted the charity to say they wanted to stop supporting it.

Despite losing support from some people, the organisation said its staff and volunteers remained focused on their main purpose, which is saving lives at sea.

The RNLI said the organisation would continue carrying out rescues whenever people are in danger, rather than deciding who deserves to be rescued based on their nationality, immigration status or circumstances.

There has also reportedly been renewed interest in a separate GoFundMe fundraiser created to raise money for the RNLI.

The fundraiser was started by Simon Harris in 2021 after comments made by Nigel Farage about the charity and its involvement in migrant rescues. Over the following five years, the fundraiser reportedly raised around £336,000 for the RNLI.

Harris strongly defended RNLI volunteers, arguing that they should be respected because they put themselves in dangerous situations to save other people’s lives without being paid for doing so.

He compared the importance of the RNLI to the NHS and said volunteers who risk their own safety to rescue people at sea should be treated with respect.

The latest controversy therefore appears to have produced two very different reactions. While some people have decided to withdraw their support because of the RNLI’s involvement in rescuing migrants, others have responded by donating money and becoming new supporters of the charity.

For the RNLI, however, its position remains unchanged. After more than 200 years of carrying out rescues at sea, the organisation says its purpose is simply to save lives whenever people find themselves in danger on the water.