A public inquiry into the worst mass drowning in the English Channel has concluded that the loss of at least 33 lives was avoidable, blaming systemic failings and missed opportunities by both French and UK authorities. The 454-page report, led by former high court judge Sir Ross Cranston, was highly critical of the response to the sinking of a small boat 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 highlighted that the French naval vessel Flamant, despite being closest to the stricken dinghy when a UK mayday call was issued, failed to respond. The report stated that if the Flamant had attended the scene, 'many more and possibly all lives would have been saved.'
Among other failings, the inquiry noted that UK Border Force’s HMC Valiant did not depart until 2.22am, despite being tasked shortly after 1.30am, and subsequently found the wrong boat, leading to a premature stand-down of the rescue. Expert evidence suggested that as many as 15 victims may have still been alive by sunrise, with some possibly surviving until early afternoon. The first bodies were not recovered until 12.30pm by a French fishing boat.
The report identified systemic issues including a widely held belief within HM Coastguard that small boat callers 'exaggerated distress,' leading to an underestimation of the emergency. Calls and WhatsApp messages with geolocation data from the boat were missed or not followed up. A surveillance aircraft never launched due to weather, and there was no pre-determined contingency plan.
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 inquiry made 18 recommendations, including investment in technology to reconcile duplicate incidents, staff training to avoid bias, and regular external assessments of HM Coastguard's effectiveness.
