RNLI trying to 'understand decision to deny access' to boat carrying migrants

The RNLI has said it is working to "understand the decision to deny access" by multiple ports to its boat that was carrying more than 100 migrants on Sunday. 

The charity added that it was "disappointed with the nature of the communication" with its crew, "who voluntarily give their time to save the lives of others at sea".

A request to land an RNLI boat carrying more than 100 migrants at the Port of Southampton and the Port of Portsmouth was refused on Sunday.

When the migrants were landed at Eastney harbour in Portsmouth, anti-migrant protesters blocked road access to the port.

Police officers were injured and vehicles damaged during the protest.

Associated British Ports (ABP), which operates Southampton, said there was not a "safety of life at sea issue where Southampton was the closest port", and reports have said the King's Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth declined a coastguard request.

To reach Portsmouth International Port, all ships must receive permission from the Royal Navy's KHM to pass through the waters it controls.

The Ministry of Defence told Sky News it did not comment on operational matters.

The statement from RNLI came on the same day as the charity's chief executive said abuse of RNLI volunteers is "wholly unacceptable in a civilised society".

Peter Sparkes said recent protests had "generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding" about the charity, and condemned threats by "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard".

Mr Sparkes's words come after footage posted on social media showed volunteers labelled as "traitors" after helping a dinghy to safety in Portsmouth.

He said RNLI lifeboats were tasked by the coastguard and launched 9,058 times in 2025 - with only 109 of those launches relating to those in distress in the Channel.

Equivalent to just 1.2% of the RNLI's total rescue work.

Nearly 95% of those who crossed the English Channel in small boats last year were picked up by the UK Border Force, he added.

Mr Sparkes went on to say that: "Illegal immigration is a political issue; the RNLI exists to save lives at sea".

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Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy said earlier on Tuesday that she was "personally concerned" about social media doxxing, when a person's private information is shared online without their consent.

She was responding to Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, who told the Commons that "some very disturbing posts" had emerged on social media, identifying "brave RNLI rescuers".

Asked what more the government could do to remove posts "that put children and adults' safety at risk through doxxing", Ms Nandy replied: "I have had an initial discussion with some of the tech companies about this."

She later added: "It is something that the government is concerned about (and) I'm personally concerned about."

(c) Sky News 2026: RNLI trying to 'understand decision to deny access' to boat carrying migrants