Latest news with #RNLI
The Independent
6 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Channel-crossing migrants brought to shore by Border Force and lifeboats
Migrants have made the journey across the English Channel, with several Border Force vessels and RNLI lifeboats seen responding to crossings. Pictures show multiple boats with people wearing lifejackets on board arriving in Dover, Kent, on Wednesday afternoon. Others show Border Force boats following each other into the port, while further pictures show lifeboats coming into Dover filled with people standing on outside decking. The crossings continue as the number of people arriving this year so far nears 25,000. Latest Home Office figures show 24,538 people arrived in the UK after making the dangerous journey. This is up 47% compared to the same point last year (16,712), and 67% higher than in 2023 (14,732). There has been a record number of crossings for the year so far since data began being collected in 2018. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.'
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Channel-crossing migrants brought to shore by Border Force and lifeboats
Migrants have made the journey across the English Channel, with several Border Force vessels and RNLI lifeboats seen responding to crossings. Pictures show multiple boats with people wearing lifejackets on board arriving in Dover, Kent, on Wednesday afternoon. Others show Border Force boats following each other into the port, while further pictures show lifeboats coming into Dover filled with people standing on outside decking. The crossings continue as the number of people arriving this year so far nears 25,000. Latest Home Office figures show 24,538 people arrived in the UK after making the dangerous journey. This is up 47% compared to the same point last year (16,712), and 67% higher than in 2023 (14,732). There has been a record number of crossings for the year so far since data began being collected in 2018. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.'
BBC News
9 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Crew shortage casts doubt over Leverburgh lifeboat station future
The future of an RNLI lifeboat station on the Isle of Harris is in doubt due to a lack of crew local management group and volunteer crew at Leverburgh said it was with "deep regret" that they had made the decision to withdraw from an RNLI station trial at the site was restarted on a trial basis in 2021 following a period of closure and initially had a healthy number of crew and support head of region, Jill Hepburn, said it would engage with a range of groups before any decision on the future of the Leverburgh station was taken. The management group said a number of "unforeseen factors" had led to the decision to withdraw from the trial at the end of the summer said those included changes in life circumstances and relocation which had seen crew levels added that numbers had almost halved, making a 24/7 on-call service difficult and, in some cases, "unobtainable".RNLI Leverburgh in Harris was established in 2012, but in November 2019 operations were suspended after difficulties retaining a a two-year consultation on its future, it was able to continue with a smaller RNLI's Atlantic 85 lifeboat - which has operated from the station for the past four years - has been called out on 23 RNLI described the decision to withdraw from the trial as a "huge disappointment".It said it would consult with others - including search and rescue partners - before any final decision was made on the future of the site.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
East Lothian RNLI team rescues three people 'stranded off beach in high tide'
An RNLI lifeboat undertook a rescue operation after three people became stranded off an East Lothian beach. Squads from the RNLI North Berwick Lifeboat sprung unto action on Tuesday, July 29 around 3.56pm when they received a call for help. Three members of the public had been cut off by incoming tide on rocks near the South Carr Beacon at Seacliff, to the east of North Berwick. READ MORE: Edinburgh's George Street to get new Screwfix store selling 'everyday essentials' READ MORE: Scottish mum 'devastated' as bloated stomach diagnosed as stage four cancer The charity's volunteers located the three stranded residents. The trio found temporary safety on a rocky outcrop called Great Carr where they had been fishing for mackerel. While the area offered safety until crews arrived, the tide was quickly encroaching and it would have been at least six hours before the tide dropped enough for them to return to shore by their initial route. The three people were escorted back to shore by RNLI volunteers where they were met by members of the North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team. The incident comes just days after the North Berwick RNLI was called to rescue a capsized kayaker on Saturday, July 26. Volunteer crew members jumped into action, leaving the North Berwick Pipe Band's 125 th Anniversary, making their way through crowds on foot and bike to help the person in distress. The RNLI urges residents to check tide tables prior to heading out on shore excursions. They recommend against wading back when aught in high tide, as tidal current can be extremely strong. When fishing from rocks, consider wearing a lifejacket and do not go fishing alone. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
British vessels head into French waters to help rescue migrants
British vessels were forced to head into French waters at the weekend to help rescue migrants on small boats in the Channel, it has emerged. Three Border Force vessels entered French waters to assist a French boat in its rescue of more than 30 migrants from a dinghy after it got into trouble as it approached the median line in the Channel on Sunday. On Saturday, an RNLI lifeboat was despatched two miles into French waters to rescue some 65 migrants from a dinghy struggling in rough conditions and bring them back to Dover. The lifeboat, which had been at sea on a training exercise, was called on to save the asylum seekers two miles before their boat could reach the median line in the Channel. The incidents have prompted demands for France to do more to stop boats leaving French shores, and that any migrants picked up in French waters should be taken back to France. Tony Smith, a former head of Border Force, said: 'We should not be going into their waters and they should not be coming into our waters. The French excuse is that they don't want to be rescued by the French, whereas they will accept being taken on board by the British.'
