A row over “alpha male” behaviour after revelations from a damning internal report at the RNLI has seen rescuers ordered to attend diversity workshops.
The sea rescue charity has ordered a “full-scale cultural review” at Hastings Lifeboat Station in East Sussex. All lifeboat staff at the station have also been ordered to attend diversity and inclusivity training to stamp out bias against women and ethnic minorities.
It comes after the internal report alleged female volunteers are banned from rescue response missions by the “old crew”. The report says: “Female crew are generally unwelcome. Only ‘alpha males’ with a history at the station are welcome. There is a feeling women are fine on shore, but not to go afloat.”
The report, seen by the Daily Mail, is written by RNLI managers. They claim there is “evidence of racism by way of lack of opportunities for people of colour” who intend to volunteer, and through “racist language”.
In the report, men were accused of making “physically intimidating gestures” towards women such as the “I’m watching you” sign, where a person put two fingers to the eyes.
This has prompted lifeboatmen to accuse the charity of being fixated on a “woke crusade”.
A lifeboat whistleblower, who wishes to remain anonymous, approached the Mail, accusing the charity of putting diversity ahead of seamanship training at Hastings, adding they rescued “hundreds of people” last year.
The whistleblower said: “The RNLI, sitting in their plush head offices in Poole, Dorset, are ruining the institution with their latest woke crusade.”
They added: “The sea doesn’t care about your feelings. You need a solid boat, a strong pair of hands, and a belly for it”.
Five years ago, two lifeboat volunteers were sacked in a row over a picture of a naked woman on a mug that was found in a cupboard at Whitby lifeboat station in North Yorkshire.
After the men were dismissed, three others resigned in protest, arguing the reaction was overkill. The charity said that the incident was “not trivial” and threatened serious consequences for such behaviour.
The RNLI’s website states it is a member of LGBTQ+ lobby group Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, and it actively encourages volunteers with disabilities and different ethnic or gender backgrounds.
Earlier this month the charity said it saved 108 Channel migrants’ lives in 2022. It launched 290 times to rescue migrants, mainly from the South-East coast, including Hastings.
The charity has said: “The RNLI takes allegations and concerns raised by staff and volunteers very seriously and has a process in place to ensure these are heard and investigated effectively.”
“The RNLI has a code of conduct which outlines the behaviours and values which the charity expects all staff and volunteers to adhere to. Where these standards fall short, we will take action.”
The RNLA added a thorough investigation took place into the behaviour at Hastings Lifeboat Station and added management will work with the station to create a positive environment.
It added: “At the RNLI we aim to be truly inclusive, valuing diversity and appreciating everyone for their individual contribution to saving lives at sea.”
