Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
The RNLI lifeboat station in Portsmouth has been temporarily closed following protests by far-right activists who objected to the charity assisting asylum seekers. The closure occurred after crews helped land a dinghy carrying 120 people, an event that was met with road blockades and violence against police. The RNLI maintains that search and rescue coverage continues through contingency arrangements while it addresses the safety concerns of its volunteers.
- ▪The Portsmouth lifeboat station has been off-service since September 10 due to targeting by activists opposing the rescue of small boat arrivals.
- ▪Two RNLI crews assisted in landing a dinghy with 120 asylum seekers on September 6, an incident that triggered protests and injuries to police officers.
- ▪The RNLI stated that only 1.2% of its 9,058 launches in 2025 involved small boats in the Channel, emphasizing its long history of impartial rescue work.
- ▪Volunteers were advised to consider not wearing branded clothing and were empowered to close stations if they felt threatened by the ongoing hostility.
- ▪A 42-year-old man named Del Somerville was remanded in custody after admitting to violent disorder related to the protests at Eastney.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — UK |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/17/lifeboat-station-portsmouth-temporarily-shut-after-far-right-action |
| Publication time | Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:14:00 GMT |
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Police outside the RNLI Portsmouth lifeboat station at Eastney in Hampshire. Photograph: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent NewsView image in fullscreenPolice outside the RNLI Portsmouth lifeboat station at Eastney in Hampshire. Photograph: Simon Czapp/Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent NewsProtests from prisonRNLILifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right actionRNLI facility had been affected by attempts by activists to stop asylum seekers landing in boats from the ChannelSteven MorrisThu 17 Sep 2026 08.14 EDTLast modified on Thu 17 Sep 2026 08.15 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA lifeboat station on the south coast of England near the spot where far-right activists tried to stop asylum seekers landing has been forced to temporarily close, it…
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