The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the charity responsible for saving lives at sea in the UK and Ireland, has updated its internal guidance regarding the use of official uniforms. Staff and volunteers have been advised to consider the setting before wearing their RNLI gear in public spaces. This shift in policy comes in response to a series of incidents where personnel reported receiving 'unacceptable abuse' while identifiable as representatives of the organization.

While the RNLI has not provided specific details regarding the nature or location of every incident, the move highlights a growing concern for the safety of charity workers in public settings. The organization emphasized that the primary goal of the new guidance is to protect its people from harassment. The decision reflects a broader trend of public-facing organizations reassessing safety protocols for staff who wear recognizable uniforms. As of now, the RNLI has not publicly linked the abuse to any specific political movement or event, focusing instead on the immediate need to ensure the well-being of its volunteer and staff base.