NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A French patrol vessel twice escorted small boats crammed with dozens of people into UK waters for rescue, newly released logs show.
The Pluvier intercepted the boats in French waters as those onboard attempted to make the perilous crossing over the English Channel before the British Navy and Border Force took the occupants back to Dover.
Details of the joint operations are contained in three incident reports from unspecified dates during the seven months up to June this year.
Maritime conventions state that vessels undertaking rescues at sea should disembark their passengers in a safe port, which in practice could be the best place to receive them, rather than the closest location.