In new safety guidance issued to volunteers and staff, the charity said personnel should consider “where appropriate, choosing not to wear RNLI branded clothing” following recent incidents.
An RNLI lifeboat in Cornwall [FILE PIC] (Image: Getty)
The RNLI has told staff and volunteers to think carefully about wearing its branded uniform after what the lifesaving charity described as “unacceptable abuse” amid escalating tensions over migrant crossings. The warning was issued after RNLI crews found themselves at the centre of angry protests following the rescue and landing of more than 100 migrants on the South Coast.
In new safety guidance issued to volunteers and staff, the charity said personnel should consider “where appropriate, choosing not to wear RNLI branded clothing” following recent incidents.
It said: “Given the unacceptable abuse our people have faced, and with protest activity taking place at RNLI locations, we have taken action to help ensure the safety and well-being of our volunteers and staff.
RNLI lifeboat brings suspected migrants into Portsmouth
“As well as enhancing security at RNLI locations, we issued guidance to our people earlier this week on how to keep themselves safe.”
The charity said the advice covered how to deal with potentially difficult encounters with members of the public, adding that staff and volunteers had been reminded that “their safety comes first”.
The move comes after an RNLI lifeboat carrying more than 100 migrants was denied access to Southampton and Portsmouth before the passengers were eventually landed at Eastney in Portsmouth.
Associated British Ports, which operates Southampton, said there was no “safety of life at sea issue where Southampton was the closest port”. Reports have also said the King’s Harbour Master in Portsmouth declined a Coastguard request.
The RNLI later said it was trying to understand the decision and was “disappointed with the nature of the communication” with its crew, who “voluntarily give their time to save the lives of others at sea”.
Portsmouth was the scene of angry protests earlier this week (Image: Jam Press/@CrimeLdn)
Anger over the arrivals spilled onto the streets when anti-migrant protesters blocked road access to Eastney port as the migrants were brought ashore.
Police officers were injured and vehicles damaged during the disorder, while a separate protest also blocked access to the Port of Dover over the weekend.
The RNLI has repeatedly found itself dragged into the bitter political row over Channel crossings because its crews rescue people in distress at sea before handing them over to the relevant authorities.
The latest row prompted Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy to say she was “personally concerned” about the alleged online doxxing of RNLI volunteers, where private information is shared publicly without consent.
Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, where the RNLI is headquartered, said the treatment of volunteers was “absolutely shameful”.