RNLI volunteers are set to ignore recommendations to stop wearing their badge in public to avoid confrontation with anti-migrant protesters, The Mail on Sunday reports.
Some current RNLI members disagree with the Lifeboat charity’s directive, arguing it amounts to “giving in to bullies”.
The charity issued the advice following protests in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend when volunteers were attacked after rescuing migrants at sea.
Video posted on social media shows volunteers being called “traitors” after they helped a boat take 140 migrants to safety in Eastney, near Portsmouth. Crew members were also mentioned in the threatening messages on X.
There have also been protests at charity venues, with an anti-migrant rally held at RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, last Wednesday.
It comes as the RNLI confirmed donations had increased following the controversy as the British public rallied behind the organisation. An online petition in support of the charity had received 130,000 signatures by yesterday.
The group of people, believed to be migrants, were taken to Dover, Kent, on board an RNLI lifeboat in July last year.
People during the South Coast Patriots March in Portsmouth. Photo date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
David Wimble, 59, a former RNLI volunteer of 20 years, said some volunteers were alarmed by the advice to avoid wearing RNLI brand clothing in public and would not follow it.
He said: “There’s a feeling among the volunteers I’ve spoken to: ‘What does it say about us if we give in to bullies?’
“They plan to continue to wear this badge proudly in their communities – just as they always have. I have an RNLI jumper and I can’t help but wear it in public because of these bullies.
“I will wear it with pride, as always. But there is no doubt that concern still exists because people do not want their families to be targeted and it is clear that the RNLI is thinking about the safety of its crews.
“But these are proud men and women and the events of last weekend and the unacceptable level of intimidation have brought matters to a head and the volunteers I know are feeling defiant and want to continue wearing RNLI clothing as they always have.”
The RNLI said: “Given the unacceptable abuses experienced by our people, as well as the protest activity taking place at RNLI locations, we have taken action to help ensure the safety and well-being of our volunteers and staff.
“As well as improving safety at RNLI locations, we have this week issued guidance to our people on how to keep themselves safe.
“This guidance included how to manage potentially difficult interactions with members of the public and, if necessary, not to wear RNLI branded clothing.
“Our people are reminded that their safety comes first and they are encouraged to report relevant incidents domestically and, if necessary, to the police.”
Mr Wimble, who worked at the RNLI station at Littlestone-on-Sea in Kent, is a UK reform adviser for the Romney Marsh ward of Folkestone and Hythe District Council, but said he was speaking as a former volunteer.
He added: “I am disgusted by the intimidation of volunteers. Can you imagine the outrage if the RNLI boat didn’t go out and people died?
“I shudder to think about it and it shows how wrong these balaclava people really are.”