A public inquiry into the worst small boat disaster in the English Channel has concluded that the loss of at least 33 lives was avoidable. The 454-page report by former high court judge Sir Ross Cranston is highly critical of systemic failings and missed opportunities surrounding the deaths in November 2021.
The inquiry found that HM Coastguard was placed in an 'intolerable position' due to chronic staff shortages and limited operational capacity, which directly contributed to the failure to rescue people in the water. It also noted that people smugglers supplied an unsafe vessel with inadequate safety equipment, including orange lifejackets stuffed with cotton that provided ineffective buoyancy.
The report highlighted that the French naval vessel Flamant, closest to the stricken dinghy when a UK mayday call was issued, failed to respond. It also identified flaws in the UK coastguard's search and rescue response, including the premature termination of the search early on 24 November, even though survivors remained in the water for hours afterwards.
Sir Ross Cranston called for an end to small boat crossings, stating: 'Apart from other reasons it is imperative to prevent further loss of life. Travelling onboard a small, unseaworthy and overcrowded boat and crossing one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, is an inherently dangerous activity.' The report made 18 recommendations, including investment in technology and staff training to avoid bias.
