An RNLI crew was blocked from going on a call in Hastings by people who said they did not want any more migrants being rescued, witnesses and a spokesperson for the charity have alleged.
The lifeboat was eventually able to launch, following the dispute.
Caller Zoe told James O’Brien on LBC Radio about the incident on Thursday. She said: “On Saturday my boyfriend and I were just on the beach and we heard the lifeboat station opening up and thought ‘oh they have a call’ and started watching.
“There was a group of people pulled up, gutting fish on the shore, and as the boat station opened up we heard the people start shouting things like ‘don’t bring any more of those home, we’re full up’, ‘that’s why we stopped our donations’, and that kind of really horrible stuff.
“It was really upsetting, and you could hear the hatred in their voice”, she said.
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“The lifeboat crew pulled the boat out and were going to go into the water and some of the people deliberately came out with their buckets and stood directly in the line of the boat so the boat couldn’t be put in the water.”
“The police were called, I’ve got video of it.”
It comes after 27 people died by drowning last week after a small boat capsized in the Channel on the way to Britain. The incident triggered debates about the UK’s strict immigration system and the role of people smugglers who facilitate the dangerous crossings.
The Hastings incident has since been confirmed by the charity. “We can confirm an incident was reported to the police,” an RNLI spokesperson told LBC.
“The lifeboat was able to launch and the station remains on service.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, Sussex Police said: “Just after 4pm on Saturday, November 20, police were made aware of reports of a disturbance near to the Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station.
“A police officer attended the scene while also being supported by colleagues monitoring the situation on CCTV.
“No arrests were made.”
People were outraged by the story:
Shocking developments in the ongoing War on Empathy: people angry at the RNLI for rescuing refugees attempt to block the launch of the Hastings lifeboat
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) November 30, 2021
You can donate to the RNLI here: https://t.co/qPgSZj6fDKhttps://t.co/KtOFppMk0V
Abhorrent. The RNLI has officially confirmed the Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew was ‘blocked from going out to sea’. Blocked by people angry at them. Angry because they were rescuing refugees. Truly one of the worst acts, devoid of any humanity. Sickening.https://t.co/U1NK9npF8E
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) November 30, 2021
Shameful & cowardly. @RNLI and its crews are the best of us.https://t.co/dDyb9DW4OL
— Katy Fallon (@katymfallon) November 30, 2021
This is what Farage, Grimes et al have been trying to action all along. Shameful. https://t.co/1V4G8fVocz
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) November 30, 2021
Lifeboat crews are volunteers who put themselves at risk to save others.
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) November 30, 2021
It’s shameful that people are abusing them and trying to stop their boats launching. This abuse is fuelled by sections of the media that have vilified refugees and the RNLI.
Solidarity with RNLI Hastings.
Good God - what has become of Britain?
— Chris Shaw (@The_ChrisShaw) November 30, 2021
This appalling contempt for human life is down to Johnson, Patel, Farage and the rest of the Brexit xenophobes.
"Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew blocked from going out to sea by people angry at them rescuing refugees."https://t.co/PT0pEItsvy
On LBC just now…
— Richard Gyseman (@RichardGyseman) November 25, 2021
Fishermen in Hastings blocked RNLI boat going out on rescue mission, shouting racist slogans, yesterday.
Police had to be called..
Nigel’s mates should be ashamed.
Obstructing emergency workers (including lifeboat crews) has been an explicit offence since 2006, punishable by an unlimited fine - I wonder if these people will face any consequences? https://t.co/scUSeY0Hxo
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) November 30, 2021
Indy100 has contacted the RNLI to comment on this story.
A spokesperson said: “The RNLI shares beach space with numerous other organisations, including commercial businesses, emergency services and fishing vessels which means occasionally we may need to adjust our launching position. We continue to work closely with all organisations to ensure lifeboats are launched as quickly as possible.”
