Maritime Monster All Jobs Moored Here
The commander of the United Kingdom’s Border Security Command has warned the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee that it is only a matter of time before there is a mass casualty disaster in the English Channel – and it will probably occur this winter once sea conditions in the Channel worsen. Major General Duncan Capps was speaking to the committee on October 21.
General Capps’ concern has arisen because of new tactics being employed by the smuggler gangs who organize the illegal immigrant crossings. In recent months the smugglers have employed much bigger rubber boats, and are now using much longer crossing routes, tactics designed to lessen the risk of interception by French National Gendarmerie forces.
Whereas before a typical crossing was made between Dunkirk and Dover, a distance of about 25 nautical, with about 60 illegals on board, the smugglers are now cramming in over 200 illegals and taking a course between Normandy beaches and the English South Coast, a distance of over 80 nautical miles. One of these fragile boats has been recorded as having 230 migrants on board.
Foul weather coming up quickly can easily swamp rubber boats which are designed for short range and calm waters. The boats are dangerously overloaded, and the illegals are over-dressed and generally cannot swim; even if they are lucky enough to have life jackets, these are typically of inferior quality and might provide buoyancy for mere minutes in an emergency. The boats usually contain vulnerable women, children and babies who have no hope of survival if thrown into the water in winter.
FULL ARTICLE AVAILABLE HERE: maritime-executive.com
