Crews have faced abuse after they brought 120 ashore in Portsmouth on Sunday. Some have been branded “traitors” and had their photographs published online.
Migrants were brought into Portsmouth (Image: Barry Williams/PA Wire)
Lifeboat volunteers are being advised not to wear RNLI clothing or badges after vile abuse from anti-migrant protesters. Crews have faced abuse and intimidation after they brought 120 asylum seekers ashore in Portsmouth on Sunday. Some have been branded “traitors” and had their photographs published online. And the RNLI’s chief executive, Peter Sparkes, has ordered a review of the charity’s security processes and procedures amid fears they could be targeted again.
They are being advised to challenge anyone not wearing ID at a lifeboat station, and to consider removing themselves from a conversation with a member of the public if they feel uncomfortable. They are also being told to consider not wearing RNLI clothing or badges in public. And Mr Sparkes said HM Coastguard had requested the RNLI’s participation in the rescue on Sunday.
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Mr Sparkes said: “This was the first time we have been involved in a Channel crossing incident of this magnitude this far west.”
One of the volunteers, Neil, who was called a traitor online and had his image shared, said his team was called to monitor the safety of the protesters – not the migrants.
He said: “We were there, purely for the safety of the protesters in the water.
“It would be nice for those people who called me a traitor to know that I’m not a traitor.”
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the charity’s vice-president and the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world, urged people abusing lifeboat crews to “have some sense about this”.
He said: “The people who are abusing the volunteers – I wonder how abusive they’d be if they suddenly got a stitch when they’re out swimming? They’d be screaming for the RNLI to rescue them and the RNLI would do it.”
Mr Sparkes said that “at times of increased media activity like this it is only natural that members of the public, supporters, family and friends may have questions about our life-saving work in the Channel.
“When our crews are tasked by HM Coastguard, we will go to the aid of those who need our assistance, including those crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in small, overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.
“When called upon, we rescue people – men, women, and children – in distress.”
RNLI lifeboat brings suspected migrants into Portsmouth
RNLI lifeboat brings suspected migrants into Portsmouth
It comes after Mr Sparkes slammed thugs hiding “behind a balaclava or a keyboard” who are threatening volunteers.
Hundreds of protesters descended on Eastney, near Portsmouth, late on Sunday night, vowing not to let three coaches of migrants through. They clashed with police as bricks and rocks were thrown towards officers.
Some demonstrators even chased the buses down the motorway as they carried the migrants from Portsmouth to Dover.
In total, seven police officers were injured.
RNLI vessels wanted to land at Southampton and Portsmouth Harbour, and were even threatened with legal action if they tried to bring the asylum seekers ashore.
They were then taken to Eastney, several miles away, where they were met by hundreds of furious protesters.
The harbour only had one access road, leading to chaos for the authorities as they tried to transfer the migrants to Manston processing centre in Kent.