Key facts
- The RNLI has experienced a significant increase in donations after being targeted by far-right protesters.
- The charity's staff and volunteers have faced online and physical abuse.
- RNLI vice-president Sir Robin Knox-Johnston condemned the intimidation.
- The RNLI has increased security measures and will continue rescues in the Channel.
- RNLI lifeboats launched 9,058 times in 2025, with 109 call-outs to small boats in the Channel (1.2% of its work).
- Almost 95% of Channel small boat crossings last year were handled by UK Border Force.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has seen a substantial rise in donations and new supporters following a period of harassment and abuse from far-right groups protesting its role in rescuing asylum seekers crossing the English Channel. The charity has also received notifications from some supporters wishing to withdraw their donations.
RNLI vice-president Sir Robin Knox-Johnston described the intimidation as "frankly quite disgraceful," amid calls from protesters for people to cease donating. The charity's staff and volunteers have been subjected to "online and physical abuse" after an incident on Sunday where a dinghy carrying asylum seekers was brought into Portsmouth.
The RNLI has implemented increased security measures and stated its commitment to continuing rescues in the Channel. Following lifeboats bringing 120 asylum seekers intercepted off the Isle of Wight to Eastney in Langstone Harbour on Sunday, some crew members had their photos and names shared on social media. On Wednesday evening, approximately 50 protesters gathered outside the RNLI's headquarters in Poole, prompting a significant police presence. Hampshire police have been patrolling RNLI sites, and Sussex police are investigating "offensive and threatening" remarks made online. The Poole Old Lifeboat Museum closed on Friday due to incidents of protesters verbally assaulting volunteers.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston emphasized that the RNLI only responds when requested by the coastguard to save lives at sea, regardless of nationality. He stated that targeting RNLI crews for doing their job is "frankly quite disgraceful" and suggested that government action is needed to address the issue.
The RNLI has advised volunteers to consider not wearing branded clothing if they feel at risk and to close shops or stations if they feel endangered. The charity clarified that responding to small boats constitutes a small fraction of its overall work, with 109 out of 9,058 launches in 2025 being for small boats in the Channel (1.2%). It also refuted rumors about housing asylum seekers or moving migrants to secret locations as "completely baseless and untrue," noting that UK Border Force handles almost 95% of Channel small boat crossings.