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Original poster

So now a full house. RNLI volunteers abused as they report for duty

62 replies

DGRossetti · 27/07/2021 07:55

... following in the footsteps of doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and police officers

www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/police-called-after-lifeboat-volunteers-21133767

On Friday (23 July) evening, some members of the RNLI Tower lifeboat crew were verbally abused while reporting for duty.

RNLI Tower reported that the reason for the verbal assault was 'due to their role'.

...

OP posts:
TheDrsDocMartens · 27/07/2021 07:56

I can’t believe the lack of outrage for this

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 27/07/2021 07:59

Fucking hell.

LavenderAskew · 27/07/2021 07:59

Can anyone explain the explanation of "due to their role"?

Teeheehee1579 · 27/07/2021 08:00

It sounds like a one off isolated incident - obviously not to be tolerated but was dealt with and the person arrested. Because of our role makes no sense - we don’t know (from that article) what the abusers issue was - mental health, alcohol, whatever. None of it right and to be tolerated but I very much doubt the start of mass abuse of the RNLI across the country.

SwanShaped · 27/07/2021 08:01

There’s been a lot of trolling on their socials recently because they save immigrants trying to cross the Channel.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 27/07/2021 08:23

You what now?
We had some scum making off with the money out of a RNLI collection point locally last week. Seaside town. One Hope's for a bit of natural justice there. But standing about shouting because they are rescuing people?

FreeBritnee · 27/07/2021 08:27

I thought it would be linked to the immigration issue. Haven’t they got some motto about saving everyone? I think there’s a large portion of the public that would rather let immigrants drown than save them.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 27/07/2021 09:01

"...following in the footsteps of doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and police officers"

And retail workers.

See: www.cityam.com/spider-man-loses-it-five-people-arrested-after-violent-incident-at-asda-in-clapham/

justasking111 · 27/07/2021 09:02

It's a tricky one the coastguard liaising with their french counterpart is sending them into french waters when really they should be escorted back to France by the french. The RNLI is caught up in this mess

Whoarethewho · 27/07/2021 09:06

@FreeBritnee

I thought it would be linked to the immigration issue. Haven’t they got some motto about saving everyone? I think there’s a large portion of the public that would rather let immigrants drown than save them.
I think there is a viewpoint from some that when immigrating illegally from a safe country they shouldn't be saved. Which is very different.
frumpety · 27/07/2021 09:38

I think there is a viewpoint from some that when immigrating illegally from a safe country they shouldn't be saved. Which is very different

I am not sure it is all that different really, both viewpoints don't want people trying to cross the Channel to be saved if they get into difficulties.

FreeBritnee · 27/07/2021 09:57

I think there is a viewpoint from some that when immigrating illegally from a safe country they shouldn't be saved. Which is very different.

How is that different?

FreeBritnee · 27/07/2021 09:59

@frumpety

I think there is a viewpoint from some that when immigrating illegally from a safe country they shouldn't be saved. Which is very different

I am not sure it is all that different really, both viewpoints don't want people trying to cross the Channel to be saved if they get into difficulties.

Quite.

Instead of focusing on the illegal gangs who are profiteering from other peoples misery or the corrupt and violent governments who are forcing indigenous people to flee. Let’s just let people drown, including young children. Great concept.

OhGiveUp · 27/07/2021 10:04

So all these brave men and women are abused for doing something that not many others are brave enough to volunteer for?
I hope none of those abusers ever get into trouble in the water when they find there are no volunteers left and the service is closed.
Utter scum. Just what the hell is wrong with some people's mentality?

TheDrsDocMartens · 27/07/2021 11:21

Priti Patel said something about making it illegal to rescue refugees in trouble in the water. RNLI said they’d rather be arrested than watch people drown.

terrywynne · 27/07/2021 11:32

One of the generally accepted rules of the sea is that you go to the aid of those in difficulty (not least because you never know when it might be you...). This should not be being politicised to pander to anti-immigrant views. I would never hesitate to rescue someone from the sea if I was in a position to do so. Drowning is a horrible way to go.

newnortherner111 · 27/07/2021 12:05

How do you know they are refugees if you don't rescue them?

justasking111 · 27/07/2021 14:15

Well my friend in the oil industry sails in dangerous waters. They have anti climb on their ships portholes sealed up and on occasion strange crew on board as security who may be armed. All organised by their bosses. They don't pick up anyone in these areas

Notonthestairs · 27/07/2021 14:23

I don't think the RNLI boats are particularly concerned about piracy. And the channel's main danger is volume of traffic.

Pretty despicable that anyone would think the RNLI should watch people drown.

justasking111 · 27/07/2021 15:22

@Notonthestairs

I don't think the RNLI boats are particularly concerned about piracy. And the channel's main danger is volume of traffic.

Pretty despicable that anyone would think the RNLI should watch people drown.

It's not so great that the volunteers are being used by French coastguard either
terrywynne · 27/07/2021 15:37

@justasking111

Well my friend in the oil industry sails in dangerous waters. They have anti climb on their ships portholes sealed up and on occasion strange crew on board as security who may be armed. All organised by their bosses. They don't pick up anyone in these areas
Oil industry is not quite the same as I imagine they are vulnerable to terrorism. Similarly boats passing through areas renowned for piracy would probably have specific policies on picking people up. But the general point still stands for people who are at sea in boats of one kind or another.
Notonthestairs · 27/07/2021 17:04

"Used" by the Frenchman coastguard but not the English one?

frumpety · 27/07/2021 21:22

Most people who spend any time on boats at sea for either work or leisure will go towards a mayday call if they hear one in UK waters and think they could be of any assistance without putting themselves in danger. The sea doesn't give two hoots where society places you on its land based heirachy and everyone who spends any time at sea knows this and responds accordingly.

dalismoustache · 27/07/2021 21:33

@newnortherner111 I wondered the same thing. Do people who may 'look like an immigrant' now have to worry they may not get rescued if they find themselves in difficulty? It's shocking and will lead to the worst kind of discrimination - letting a fellow human being drown, because of the way they look. The RNLI deserve better than this.

Notashandyta · 27/07/2021 21:50

Piri Patel is trying to make it illegal to save drowning immigrants?

Ffs. Heard it all now.

And France isn't a so called safe country for immigrants. Do a bit of reading, the y are hounded and living like animals over there. As they are anywhere.

How bad must life be to choose to flee your home, and make a potentially life ending voyage across a sea in a dinghy, to reach a country where you don't speak the language and are widely reviled?

And now people want to see them drown.

Absolutely despicable. Where is the humanity?

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