A request to land an RNLI boat carrying more than 100 migrants at the Port of Southampton and the Port of Portsmouth was refused on Sunday, ITV Meridian has learned. (6 September).
The migrants were instead brought ashore at Eastney Marina.
Anti-migrant demonstrators blocked the road leading away from the RNLI Portsmouth Lifeboat Station at the marina, with photos showing police carrying riot shields forming a line and protecting a number of coaches that were parked up.
All of those brought ashore were taken to a location for processing in the usual way, it is understood, likely to be the Manston arrivals and processing centre in Kent.
Associated British Ports, which operates the Port of Southampton, said it had received an enquiry about landing migrants who had been recovered.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We had to decline the enquiry as the Port did not have suitable reception facilities available.
“If there had been a safety of life at sea issue where Southampton was the closest port or if we had received a formal Direction from the relevant authority then we would have played a role.
“Neither was the case in this situation.”
They added: “The communication with the vessels involved in recovery included the standard wording issued to any vessel Master in a similar situation, reflecting the statutory responsibilities and authority of the Harbour Master.
“ABP has a proud record of supporting the RNLI across Britain.”
Reports have said the King’s Harbour Master Portsmouth declined a coastguard request too.
Similar scenes took place in Dover on Saturday as large crowds of masked men blocked road access to the Port of Dover.
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