The RNLI has temporarily closed its Portsmouth lifeboat station after volunteers endured sustained physical and online abuse from anti-migrant protesters, who branded them "traitors" and published personal details online. The charity's closure represents a significant impact on the organisation's ability to respond to emergencies, highlighting the serious consequences of the targeting campaign against volunteers dedicated to rescue work in the English Channel.

On 6 September, RNLI lifeboats brought 120 migrants ashore, prompting demonstrations at the landing site. During those protests, RNLI crews deployed four lifeboats specifically to monitor the safety of protesters who had entered the water to film the rescue operation—demonstrating that the organisation upheld its pledge to "save everyone" despite the hostile reception. Multiple protesters faced violent disorder charges after the demonstration, and the sustained harassment has forced the RNLI to advise volunteers to remove their badges in public and temporarily suspend operations, with coverage now depending on contingency arrangements from other stations.