I covered an anti-migrant protest outside RNLI HQ – the anger is misplaced_t

When I think of RNLI lifeboat crews, I think of brave heroes — saving lives in waters the vast majority of us would never dare enter. But to hear these courageous volunteers have faced online and physical abuse following major anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend has left a sour taste in my mouth.

These people give up their free time to answer emergencies around our coastline, dedicated to saving lives at sea. To me, these fearless men and women should be championed, not criticised for successive governments failing to get a real grip on the small boat crisis. On Wednesday evening, I reported from a protest outside the charity’s headquarters in Poole, Dorset.

The organiser suggested lifeboat crews should “refuse” to rescue migrant boats in the English Channel.

Another protester accused the RNLI of “facilitating the bringing in of unvetted illegal men”.

There is nothing to suggest those who attended the protest have been involved in the reported abuse of RNLI staff.

In fact, everyone I spoke to said they appreciate the volunteers’ work but took issue with their bosses and the charity’s involvement in rescuing small boats.

There are many issues in the migrant crisis but to me it’s clear the RNLI is not one of them.

The RNLI states all small boat crossings in the Channel are classed as being in distress and under international maritime law, any vessel that becomes aware of people in distress at sea must take all reasonable measures to assist.

Of the charity’s 9,058 lifeboat launches across the UK and Ireland last year, just 109 (1.2%) were to small boats in the Channel.

Anger and frustration over small boats arrivals is of course understandable, but channelling this towards the RNLI and its volunteers will do very little.

After all, it is the RNLI’s job to save lives at sea and it is the politicians’ task to solve the crisis.