GARONNE

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24 migrants rescued in four responses

On the night of March 1, 2025, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed of the departure of a migrant boat near Wimereux in the Pointe aux Oies sector. The CROSS then engaged the 'Géranium' from the Maritime Gendarmerie, which started monitoring the boat as it headed out to sea. Three migrants who requested assistance were picked up by the 'Géranium', while the rest of the people on board the boat continued on their way. Given the risks of falling overboard or of injuries to people in the event of a forced intervention by French rescue resources, the decision was made to let them continue their journey, while ensuring that their crossing was monitored. The rescued people were brought back to Boulogne-sur-Mer on the early morning. Immediately after the first intervention of the 'Géranium', she was re-engaged by the CROSS Gris-Nez to assist another boat off the coast of Pointe de la Rochette, in the Wimereux sector. The 'Géranium' contacted the boat that was stopped with occupants who requested assistance. The CROSS then engaged the 'Abeille Normandie' in support. The operational drome boats (EDO) began to recover some of the migrants who were brought onto the 'Abeille Normandie'. Some of the migrants who remained on the boat resumed their route under the surveillance of the 'Géranium'. The emergency tug dropped off the 12 recovered migrants on the afternoon at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. In the middle of the night, the CROSS Gris-Nez also engaged the 'Pluvier' to monitor a boat off the coast of Calais. After several hours of navigation, seven migrants requesting assistance were picked up by the 'Pluvier', while the rest of the migrants resumed their journey. The 'Pluvier' then disembarked the seven peopl in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Finally, a rescue operation was coordinated by the CROSS Gris-Nez after the attempt to cross the Channel by a makeshift boat, which had left in the morning off the Bay of Somme. The National Genarmerie raised alert at 6:30 a.m. to assist the 54 people on board. Several SNSM units, firefighter teams from SDIS 62 and SDIS 80, as well as the 'Garonne' of the French Navy were deployed to secure the boat and recover the migrants, three of whom were injured, including one person in critical condition. They were taken care of by the rescue services on Hardelot beach, after being rescued on board the EDO of the 'Garonne'. Two other victims suffering from hypothermia were also rescued by the land rescue teams . As the boat was stranded on the beach near the North seawall of Hardelot without being able to return to sea, the rescue operation ended early in the evening. In total, 24 people were rescued at sea under the coordination of CROSS Gris-Nez in four different operations.

Navy ship rescued 59 distressed migrants

On the morning of Jan 21, a migrant boat departure was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez at the coast of the Somme. The state chartered SAR ship 'Minck' was tasked to search for the boat. In addition, the CROSS deployed the 'Garonne' to reinforce the searches. On the early afternoon, the Navy vessel spotted the boat and ensured its close surveillance. Following a series of breakdowns, all people aboard were picked up by the 'Garonne', responding to the boat's request for assistance. With the agreement of the CROSS, the latter recovered the 59 people, before heading to Boulogne-sur-Mer,where they were dropped off on the late evening and taken care of by the shore based services.

83 people rescued in two missions

In the morning of Jan 29, several precarious boats attempted to cross the English Channel to Great Britain. The CROSS Gris-Nez identified wo boats in difficulty off Gravelines. The BSAM 'Garonne' managed to rescue 54 people. One of the castaways, victim of an illness, was taken care of by the crew of the' Garonne' and then by the SAMU 62 upon the arrival at the port of Calais in the middle of the day. The VCSM 'Oyapock' of the maritime gendarmerie was engaged to rescue 29 people. After being taken care of on board, all the castaways were dropped off at the port of Calais, where they were taken care of by the border police and the departmental fire and rescue service. The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea warns anyone who plans to cross the Channel about the risks involved.