Our work in the English Channel
Q&A for RNLI volunteers and staff
Q. Is the RNLI involved in rescuing suspected migrants in the English Channel?
RNLI volunteer crews are tasked by the UK Coastguard and Irish Coast Guard to assist anyone who is in trouble on the water. If someone is in trouble at sea, we are there to make sure they get the help they need. We are a lifesaving rescue service and we will rescue anyone in trouble at sea, as the RNLI has been doing for nearly 200 years, without judgement or preference.
Q. Why has the RNLI launched to suspected migrants in the English Channel?
Anyone can drown but no one should. Our charity exists to save everyone in trouble in the sea.
The RNLI will always help those in trouble in the water – no matter who they are or where they come from. Our volunteer lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland have been carrying out this role since 1824.
The RNLI's lifeboat crews will do everything in their power to save a life and help those in distress. During a rescue, our priority is to ensure that casualties are treated with skill, care and respect and brought to safety as quickly as possible.
The RNLI is working with other agencies on processes and procedures for incidents where suspected migrants are involved and has issued procedural guidelines to lifeboat crews to ensure the safety of both casualties and our personnel. Our response remains humanitarian. Questions about border controls, immigration and the legality of right to remain are questions for government, they are not matters for the RNLI.
Q. What happens when the RNLI rescues people suspected of trying to enter the country illegally?
In any rescue, the RNLI’s priority is to ensure the casualty is treated with skill, care and respect and taken back to safety as quickly as possible.
If we are satisfied that a casualty is no longer at risk, the appropriate authorities are informed, and we then hand over responsibility for casualties to the UK Border Force and/or the police.
We are not border control, and once a rescue is complete, we hand over responsibility for casualties to UK Border Force and/or the police, who can then take over the ongoing care of the casualties in an appropriate way.
Q. What assurances can you give that those entering the UK illegally are appropriately dealt with?
The RNLI is a volunteer lifeboat service that exists to help those in trouble at sea. We are not border control, and once a rescue is complete, we hand over responsibility for casualties to UK Border Force and/or the police, who can then take over the ongoing care of the casualties in an appropriate way.
Department: Internal Communications | Classification: Protected | Date created: 30 April 2021
Q. Do you think you are aiding illegal migration by responding to call outs involving migrants?
The RNLI will always help anyone in trouble at sea and does not judge those it rescues. We respond to call-outs with the aim of helping those in distress.
Q. How many incidents involving migrants has the RNLI responded to?
This question would be better addressed to the HM Coastguard and UK Border Force. The RNLI will always help those in trouble at sea and does not judge those it rescues.
The aim is that the RNLI is only tasked by the HM Coastguard where there are casualties that need our help or specialist skills. Where appropriate, we then hand over responsibility for those casualties to UK Border Force and/or the police, who can then take over the ongoing care of the casualties in an appropriate way.
Q. Who launches the lifeboat to migrants?
HM Coastguard and the Irish Coast Guard can request any of our lifeboats to launch to an incident. During the process, the launch can be authorised where there is a risk, or threat of risk, to lives.
Where there is a risk to life at sea and it is appropriate to do so with regards to boat type and weather conditions, we will always launch.
Q. How much money do you estimate the RNLI has spent on rescues involving migrants in 2020?
We will always assist anyone in trouble at sea. We do not hold information on costs per rescue.
Q. How are you supporting your volunteers through this busy time?
The welfare of RNLI crews is a top priority, and we work closely with station management to ensure volunteer crew members are well and able to respond to incidents.
As a charity we often see an increased demand on our service during periods of extreme weather. This includes the summer periods when more people are using the beaches, coastlines and are on the water for different reasons. We manage this with the welfare of our volunteer crews and lifeguards in mind.
Contact the RNLI Press Office
You can contact the RNLI Press Office 24/7:
Phone UK: 01202 336789 Phone Ireland: 0044 1202 336789 Email: [email protected]
Department: Internal Communications | Classification: Protected | Date created: 30 April 2021