By Isle of Wight Observer
RNLI chiefs have been forced to step in after two Island crews were caught up in a storm, for rescuing around 140 immigrants who were trying to get into the country illegally last Sunday.
The volunteer Yarmouth and Bembridge RNLI crews were tasked, by HM Coastguard, to help the migrants aboard an inflatable ‘mega dinghy’ in the English Channel, south of the Island – a job the IW Observer has learned an Island company is being paid millions by the Government to perform.
Many of the migrants were reportedly without lifejackets, after the dinghy had travelled about 70 miles from the Bay of Seine in northern France, the first migrant boat to make such a lengthy crossing.
The crews were tasked, by the Coastguard, at around 10.30am and took around two hours to reach the 46‑foot dinghy. Once there, they could see one of its back tubes was deflating and starting to lose air. It was decided to transfer the migrants from the dinghies onto the lifeboats, but while they were being moved onto the Bembridge lifeboat, the dinghy suffered another puncture. The lifeboats then headed to the mainland, but were stopped in mid‑Channel when both Portsmouth and Southampton harbours refused them permission to enter. Both coxswains were reportedly threatened with legal action if they entered Southampton Harbour waters.
Landing was then put on hold while frantic calls were made to the Home Office to resolve the situation, with the Home Secretary finally giving the go‑ahead for the lifeboats to dock at a marina in Eastney, near Portsmouth, before being taken to Manston immigration centre in Kent for processing.
Crews face abuse as protesters block marina
The multi‑agency rescue operation also involved a HM Coastguard helicopter, an aeroplane, and its rescue teams and, after arriving in the marina, the migrants were unloaded off the lifeboats and helped on shore. There they were met by hundreds of protesters shouting abuse at the lifeboat crews and migrants, while blocking the road to the marina, preventing migrants leaving on coaches.
Speaking of the abuse the crews suffered, RNLI chief executive, Peter Sparkes, said: “Recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI; our purpose, our tasking, and particularly our lifesaving work, in the Channel.
“Sadly, as a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in the worst cases, physical abuse.
“The RNLI’s people represent the very best in our society; they selflessly give up their time to keep others safe. We will take whatever steps we can to care for and protect our people and their families.
“Be reassured that the RNLI and our crews strive only to prevent people like you and me from drowning at sea. Stand by them, not against them and their families.”
Island leaders urge calm
The crews were backed by the IW Council and both Island MPs, with Council Leader Jonathan Bacon saying: “I would like to thank the RNLI lifeboat crews, HM Coastguard, emergency services, and all those involved in responding to this incident. Their professionalism, expertise, and co‑operation helped ensure the situation was managed safely and effectively.
“We understand residents may have questions about this issue and are committed to providing factual information where appropriate. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure relevant information is shared through official channels.
“We would encourage residents to rely on trusted sources of information and avoid sharing unverified claims or rumours online.”
He added: “The IW Council has received no notification that the Island is being considered as a location for disembarkation or processing associated with any such boat arrivals.”
Richard Quigley, MP for IW West, said: “There’s been a lot about the protests in Portsmouth in the news and on social media – including unsubstantiated statements as well as a lot of genuine concern. Those who arrived were taken to the Manston site, which the Home Office uses for the initial processing of people arriving by small boats.
“There were no plans to bring them to the Island as we don’t have the facilities to process them. And there are no plans for a centre on the Island. Any and all reports of arrivals to the Island are unsubstantiated.
“That’s why I would urge calm. And appeal to Islanders not to take everything they see posted on social media as fact. Some have deliberately tried to exploit yesterday’s events and there’s been unnecessary backlash against the RNLI.
“RNLI crews are volunteers. They volunteer to save lives at sea. And they did just that. They don’t discriminate or ask questions of those they’re tasked to assist. We’re lucky to have such dedicated and brave crews on the Island, who’re prepared to assist when their pager goes off.”
Joe Robertson, IW East MP, added: “I want to pay tribute to the brave lifeboat men and women from the Island who were at sea for over 12 hours. The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives, not police our borders, and that is exactly what they have done.
“People who come here illegally should be deported without delay, but when it comes to life and death situations, every life matters regardless of where you come from.
“It is of grave concern that small boat crossings seem to be taking place along parts of the coast where we haven’t seen them on this scale.
“The Island is much further from France than Kent; it seems that people smugglers are now undeterred by greater stretches of water. The Government is boasting about having reduced small boat crossings, but that is of no comfort to anyone if new routes are opening up as appears to be the case here.”