A 30-year-old Sudanese man was arrested early Tuesday morning after allegedly attempting to steal a commercial trawler from Royal Harbour in Ramsgate, Kent, with the stated intention of sailing to France to retrieve his family.
The man reportedly boarded the shellfish trawler, named the Carousel, while the crew were asleep. He started the engine and increased its power significantly, causing the mooring ropes to snap and the vessel to drift into the middle of the harbor.
Skipper Olly Swift recounted on Facebook that the man was "insisting to take him to France to collect his family." Swift expressed concern about extensive damage to the boat, potentially costing up to £100,000 and including loss of earnings. "He had no clue what he was doing. He's caused no end of problems for me. I'm fuming," Swift stated, adding that the incident put the crew's lives at risk.
Steven Williamson, managing director of Lynn Shellfish, co-owners of the vessel, described the incident as "very novel" and noted the desperation required for such an attempt. He highlighted the risks to life, the vessel, and navigation in the Channel.
Kent Police confirmed they were called at 3:17 a.m. to a report of theft in progress. Officers attended and arrested a 30-year-old Sudanese man in connection with the incident. He remains in custody while inquiries continue. The Home Office has been approached for further details regarding the man's immigration status.
This incident occurred during a period of increased migrant arrivals, with 1,670 individuals reportedly reaching Britain from the continent over four days prior to the arrest. The total number of arrivals since July 2024 has exceeded 87,000.