The RNLI has advised staff and volunteers to consider not wearing charity-branded clothing in certain circumstances due to safety concerns.
Some staff and volunteers have faced abuse from anti-immigration protesters after the charity was involved in rescuing people who were trying to cross the Channel in small boats.
Peter Sparkes, chief executive of the life-saving charity, yesterday condemned threats against the RNLI’s volunteers and staff and said people were spreading “deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI”.
Sparkes was speaking after balaclava-wearing protesters gathered in Portsmouth after a boat carrying about 140 migrants arrived in Hampshire on Sunday.
The boat arrived at the Eastney Landing ferry port with the assistance of the RNLI.
After this, some RNLI crew members had their photos and names shared on social media, in posts accusing them of being “traitors”.
A spokesperson for the charity said today: “Given the unacceptable abuse our people have faced, and with protest activity taking place at RNLI locations, we have taken action to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and staff.
“As well as enhancing security at RNLI locations, we issued guidance to our people earlier this week on how to keep themselves safe.
“This guidance included how to manage potentially challenging interactions with members of the public and, where appropriate, choosing not to wear RNLI-branded clothing.
“Our people have been reminded that their safety comes first, and they are encouraged to report relevant incidents internally and, where appropriate, to the police.”