The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has rejected accusations that it is operating a 'migrant taxi service' by rescuing people attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats. The charity emphasised that it has a moral and legal duty under international maritime law to save lives at sea.
Chief executive Mark Dowie stated that the RNLI is 'very proud' of its humanitarian work and will continue to respond to coastguard callouts. He described the perilous conditions migrants face, including running out of fuel, navigating busy shipping lanes, and experiencing fear and disorientation, as clear cases of distress.
The comments come as the government prepares to enact its borders and nationality bill, which aims to criminalise illegal entry. While the RNLI does not take political stances, Dowie urged the public to recognise the charity's role in upholding Britain's reputation for decency and doing the right thing.
The RNLI's migrant rescue operations have expanded over the past two years across nine sites from Margate to Eastbourne. Volunteers have noted an increase in larger, more precarious boats carrying up to 50 people. This year, the number of Channel crossings has already surpassed the total for 2020, with over 8,450 arrivals recorded by last week.
Crew members have shared harrowing accounts of rescues, including migrants stranded for 30 hours in freezing temperatures, suffering heatstroke, or travelling on unseaworthy vessels. Some volunteers have faced abuse upon returning to shore, with beer cans thrown at them and verbal insults directed at the rescued individuals, including children.
Dowie stressed that the RNLI's sole mission is to save lives, not to enforce border control. The charity hopes to foster empathy and understanding among the British public, highlighting the dangerous realities faced by those attempting the crossing.
