HMS Mersey joins patrol for Channel migrant dinghies
A UK Royal Navy ship was patrolling the Channel on 4 January in response to a wave of mostly Iranian asylum seekers risking the crossing from France in dinghies.
HMS Mersey is filling the gap until two Border Force cutters return from the European Union's Mediterranean migrant crossings mission.
The OPV and 45 crew left the Channel port of Portsmouth on 3 January.
Attempts to get to Britain by crossing the world's busiest shipping lane in tiny craft have surged in the last three months, with numbers spiking over the Christmas holidays.
'HMS Mersey will deploy to the Dover Straits to assist the UK Border Force and French authorities with their response to migrant crossings,' said UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
'The crew have been able to immediately divert from routine operations to help prevent migrants from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.'
Two coastal patrol vessels and two UK Border Force cutters are already deployed in the Channel. Any migrants found in British waters are taken to a UK port.
The UK will keep one Border Force cutter on the EU Mediterranean mission and bring two back: Protector, which is anchored at the Greek island of Lesbos, and Seeker, which is docked in the overseas territory of Gibraltar.
Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to question two men arrested on suspicion of arranging the illegal movement of migrants into Britain.
A 33-year-old Iranian national and a 24-year-old British man, arrested in Manchester on 2 January, remain in police custody.
Some 539 people crossed the Dover Straits - the Channel's narrowest part at 21 miles wide - in 2018, 80 percent making the journey in the last three months.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![New Zealand's HMNZS Te Mana successfully fires first Sea Ceptor missile]()
New Zealand's HMNZS Te Mana successfully fires first Sea Ceptor missile
CMS 330 is a combat management system developed by Lockheed Martin Canada that serves as the backbone for several Canadian and Chilean ship classes and has been installed on RNZN Anzac-class frigates.
-
![Turkey’s ASFAT on track to deliver first Hisar OPV in 2024]()
Turkey’s ASFAT on track to deliver first Hisar OPV in 2024
While outfitting activities on the first two Hisar-class OPVs have been advancing at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, discussions for additional platforms continue.
-
![Babcock wins UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought support contracts]()
Babcock wins UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought support contracts
Babcock has won contracts worth more than £120 million to support the development and delivery of the Dreadnought-class submarines for the UK’s Royal Navy.
-
![Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?]()
Make or break: Can the European Patrol Corvette programme save shipbuilding in Europe?
With funding from the European Defence Fund and partner countries, the European Patrol Corvette programme has an opportunity to become the standard bearer for defence procurement and potentially offer a route forward for naval shipbuilding in Europe.
-
![Portugal contracts Damen for multi-purpose vessel designed for integrated uncrewed air and sea systems]()
Portugal contracts Damen for multi-purpose vessel designed for integrated uncrewed air and sea systems
The new ship’s primary roles will be search and rescue, emergency relief and oceanic research but will also be used for naval support operations and maritime safety.
