Lifeboat charity crew tracked then subjected to ‘inflammatory’ social media attack

An independent lifeboat charity has hit out at a group that tracked its crew’s movements while answering a call-out and then subjected it a social media attack involving “inflammatory, damaging and entirely inaccurate information”.

The East Sussex Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat charity has reported the incident to the UK Coastguard and says it believes the group had also been involved “in a full day of disruptive, dangerous and divisive activities” targeting a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station in nearby Hastings.

The charity explains that on Tuesday night this week it was asked by the UK Coastguard to answer a report of a vulnerable woman in the water at St Leonards, near Hastings.

“With calm conditions our crew quickly launched on service and proceeded to the location,” details the charity.

“Shortly before arriving on scene, the casualty was retrieved from the water. Being safe and well, all units involved were stood down and our crew returned to base.

“However, once ashore, our volunteers had to attend to some maintenance. Whilst doing so, we noticed a small group on the sea wall observing our activities.”

The charity added that “it soon became apparent that this group had tracked our tasking route to Hastings” before carrying out its social media attack on its work.

It found that the crew had been tracked using the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which is meant to be used to monitor marine traffic and prevent collisions.

The charity said: “We will not tolerate abuse, intimidation or aggressive behaviour towards out volunteers” adding that while it does not “engage in political discission” it “will strongly defend our volunteers and our lifeboat’s mission”.

This is the latest in several incidents and protests by right wing, anti-immigration groups against the work of lifeboat crews, most notably targeting the RNLI.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes has condemned the abuse and threats the charity’s staff have been receiving in recent weeks from “those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard”.