A high-value inflatable boat carrying 15 passengers approached the White Cliffs of Dover last weekend, bypassing French naval patrols and UK Border Force vessels. The vessel, described as brand new and equipped with a 20hp Suzuki outboard motor valued at approximately £2,000, was spotted by local fishermen.
The 15 passengers, reportedly wearing expensive clothing, were observed as the boat neared Dover Harbour. According to fishermen who witnessed the event, the boat's driver signaled to other vessels that the engine had stopped, requesting assistance from the coastguard. Fishermen initially began a rescue effort but realized the alarm was a ruse when the engine was restarted. The boat continued towards the Kent coast, stopping again and repeating the request for coastguard assistance before restarting the engine a second time.
A Border Force vessel eventually intercepted the boat approximately one mile from the shore. The fishermen suggested the driver was deliberately feigning engine trouble to elicit a rescue by British authorities, a tactic that could allow the passengers to enter the UK's asylum system, potentially granting them access to accommodation, healthcare, and the possibility of settling in the country.
This incident highlights a trend where migrants with greater financial means may be opting for more comfortable, albeit still perilous, crossings. The boat itself is estimated to be worth around £1,500, and the total cost for the passengers, if organized by traffickers, could be at least £4,000 each. The passengers were reportedly not wearing life jackets, suggesting a perceived lack of danger during the crossing.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the number of small boat crossings has decreased this year, with July recording the lowest numbers since 2020. The department is working to further reduce crossings and has entered into a payment-by-results agreement with France to increase patrols on French beaches.