Portsmouth’s RNLI station has been closed amid security concerns arising from recent far-right anti-migrant protests.
As Marine Industry News reports, the lifeboat station in Eastney has been off service since 7 September, a day after its volunteers helped bring some 120 people ashore as they attempted to cross the English Channel from France.
The station has since been subject to demonstrations and road blockades by far-right agitators, and a number of its volunteers have faced verbal abuse and online threats, including ‘doxing’ (the publishing of personally identifiable information about individuals with the intention of inciting harassment or causing distress).
RNLI South East head of region Jacqui Irons said: “We have a duty of care to our people; we therefore took the decision to pause activity at the station to review crew safety and wellbeing and to support those involved in the incident on 6 September.”
Portsmouth RNLI had only recently held an open day in July, when hundreds of visitors helped raise more than £2,500 towards the charity’s lifesaving work.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the RNLI has seen a surge in donations since news of the intimidation experienced by its lifesaving volunteers.
Far-right actions have also led to the closure of the Poole Old Lifeboat Museum, whose volunteers have been verbally abused. Marine Industry News has more on the story HERE.
