| Clearly the harassment of RNLI volunteers is unacceptable and the culprits should be prosecuted if they have broken the law. But let’s be honest. The RNLI was set up to save seafarers in genuine distress. It was not intended to pick up migrants who deliberately set out in unseaworthy boats in order to be taken to Britain. The key to their strategy is that the vessels are dangerous, necessitating their rescue. One way of putting an end to this moral blackmail would be to inform potential migrants on French shores that the RNLI will not help them if they get into distress. Would this be morally unacceptable? For example, in Florida during the hurricane season the authorities sometimes tell residents to evacuate their homes. It is not a criminal offence to ignore this advice, but residents are told that if they choose to remain in their homes and get into trouble, no one will come and rescue them. The principle is the same. The state is not obliged to help those who deliberately place themselves in danger. It might be objected that mountain rescue volunteers rescue people who try to climb Ben Ness in flip flops. Yes, but they don’t deliberately get into distress. They are just idiots. In contrast the Channel migrants deliberately court danger in order to ensure rescue. |