Lifeboat crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) helped ensure the safety of anti-migrant protesters in the sea off Portsmouth on Sunday, 9 September 2026. Demonstrators had blocked roads in an attempt to stop 140 cross-Channel migrants being brought ashore at Eastney.
RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes stated in an email to volunteers that many protesters were in or near the water, leading to four lifeboats being deployed for their safety. He also noted that lifeboat crews from Cowes, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, and Selsey were tasked to assist with casualties and stand by for safety.
On Tuesday, Mr Sparkes said RNLI staff had been subjected to online and physical abuse due to their life-saving work in the English Channel. Posts on X, reportedly seen hundreds of thousands of times, shared photos of RNLI volunteers, with some accusing them of "treason" in connection with rescues.
One volunteer, identified as Neil, confirmed his crew was tasked to Langstone Harbour to illuminate the beach for protester safety. He stated, "We were there, as I said, purely for the safety of the protesters that were in the water."
Vikki Slade, an MP for Poole, where the RNLI is based, reported that charity workers have been advised to work from home, vary their journeys, and remove RNLI car stickers. Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons on Tuesday that she had discussed with tech firms the reported sharing of names, addresses, and photographs of RNLI staff and volunteers, expressing government concern.