RNLI sees significant donations boost despite intimidation

The RNLI has reported a significant rise in donations after the charity became a target for  protesters following a rescue involving a small boat carrying asylum seekers.

While staff and volunteers have faced online and physical abuse, the charity says it has also welcomed many new supporters. It has stressed that its crews will continue responding when people are in danger at sea, regardless of their nationality.

Volunteers targeted after Portsmouth rescue

RNLI lifeboats took 120 asylum seekers to Eastney in Langstone Harbour on Sunday after they were intercepted off the Isle of Wight. Some crew members were subsequently targeted by protesters, with their names and photographs shared on social media.

Police were deployed outside the charity’s headquarters in Poole on Wednesday evening as around 50 people gathered to protest against the RNLI’s involvement. Hampshire police have also patrolled RNLI sites, while Sussex police investigated remarks described as “offensive and threatening” on social media.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum said on Friday that it had closed after volunteers were verbally assaulted during several incidents.

‘They are picking on the wrong people’

RNLI vice-president Sir Robin Knox-Johnston condemned the intimidation, saying the charity’s volunteers were being targeted for carrying out the work they were trained to do.

“These are volunteers who risk their lives to go out and save anyone at sea,” he told BBC Radio Solent. He explained that crews do not go looking for people, but are called by the coastguard when lives are at risk.

“If you want this to stop the government have got to stop it,” he said. “But picking on RNLI crews who are doing the job they are trained to do is frankly quite disgraceful.”

The charity has increased security measures and advised volunteers to consider avoiding RNLI-branded clothing if they believe it could put them at risk. They have also been told they can close shops or lifeboat stations if they feel unsafe.

Small-boat rescues make up a small share of RNLI work

The RNLI said responding to small boats in the Channel accounts for only a small proportion of its work. Its lifeboats launched 9,058 times in 2025, with 109 call-outs involving small boats in the Channel – 1.2% of the charity’s rescue activity.

The RNLI has also rejected rumours that it houses asylum seekers on its premises or carries out missions to move migrants to secret locations, describing those claims as completely baseless.

“Everyone at the RNLI remains focused on our core purpose of saving lives at sea,” a spokesperson said.

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