Abuse of volunteers forces lifeboat museum closure

A lifeboat museum says it has been forced to close after its volunteers were targeted by anti-migrant protesters.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum said it made the decision after several incidents of "protesters verbally assaulting our volunteers".

Protesters gathered in the Dorset town after about 140 migrants arrived in a single dinghy that had crossed the English Channel, prompting a major anti-migrant demonstration in Portsmouth on Sunday.

After lifeboats took 120 migrants intercepted off the Isle of Wight to Eastney in Langstone Harbour, some crew members were targeted by protesters, with their photos and names shared in posts on social media accusing them of treason.

During the incident, the RNLI said it also helped to ensure the safety of anti-migrant protesters who had entered the sea off Portsmouth.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, RNLI vice-president Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "Like many supporters of the RNLI, I am very angry about it because they are picking on the wrong people.

"These are volunteers who risk their lives to go out and save anyone at sea.

"What people don't seem to understand is the RNLI don't go out looking for people – they only go out when specifically asked by the Coastguard, whose job is safety of life at sea - regardless of nationality.

"They are doing their job – they are saying there are people whose lives are in danger – RNLI please can you send a boat and remove the risk.

"If you want this to stop the government have got to stop it – but picking on RNLI crews who are doing the job they are trained to do is frankly quite disgraceful."

Knox-Johnston made history in 1969 by becoming the first person to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world.

The RNLI is reviewing its security procedures to ensure the safety of its members after the protests in Dover and Portsmouth.

As part of this, volunteers have been told to consider not wearing RNLI branded clothing in some circumstances while representing the charity.

At the Port of Dover on Saturday, a large group of masked men held a demonstration over small-boat crossings, causing major disruption.

The museum on the end of Poole Quay is housed in the boathouse where Poole lifeboat station was based from 1882 to 1974.

The free museum, run by volunteers, documents the history of the RNLI in Poole from its beginning since 1865 up until the present day.

A post by the museum's crew on social media said it would remain closed until the protests ended.