UK marine emergency response organisation updates security procedures

Volunteer personnel of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which saves hundreds of mariner lives each year off the UK coast, have been advised to increase their security for their own safety.

One of the world’s largest owners of search and rescue (SAR) vessels updated security advice after as some of its personnel were subject to intimidation and abuse following their assistance of illegal migrants sailing across the Channel on an inflatable craft from France to England in early September.

Lifeboat crews and other charity volunteers have been advised “to make decisions to keep yourself, your team or crew safe”, to close lifeboat stations and stores if they do not feel safe.

Several of RNLI’s volunteers was subject to online abuse over social media platforms after several lifeboats responded to a request from His Majesty (HM) Coastguard on 6 September to assist around 120 migrants that had sailed from Normandy, France, in an inflatable boat, which was intercepted off the Isle of Wight. Migrants were rescued onto lifeboats and taken to Eastney, in Langstone Harbour, where roads were blocked by protesters.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes condemned the abuse volunteers, including lifeboat crews, have received and reminded the UK that the RNLI was a charity that was apolitical and “completely independent of government”.

As a charity, the RNLI relies on donations from the public to fund its work and goodwill of its volunteers and staff that “have selflessly dedicated themselves to rescuing people they have never met before, without judgment, fear or favour,” said Mr Sparkes.

“When HM Coastguard tasks an RNLI lifeboat crew to launch to a vessel or people in distress, whenever and wherever they need us, we will. We will always answer the call, whoever needs our help.”

Mr Sparkes said it is “the legal and moral obligation that the UK has, under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and SOLAS.”