Border Security Command uses new vessels for first time today to pick up migrants in English Channel

Mark White
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:09:52 +0000

New vessels under the Border Security Command have been used for the first time today to pick up migrants in the English Channel.

More than a hundred migrants have made it to UK waters today, as two illegal dinghies managed to make the crossing from France.

The newly branded Border Security Command vessel Courageous arrived at Dover harbour just after 5pm alongside a local lifeboat.

GB News counted 65 migrants who were brought ashore at the new Border Security Command processing centre in Dover.

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The latest vessels are slightly larger variants of catamarans that were previously used by Border Force to respond to migrant sightings.

It is unclear if those vessels, which include Ranger, Typhoon and Hurricane, will still be used going forward.

A second of the new catamarans, Border Security Command vessel, Contender, is also due into Dover shortly with dozens of migrants picked up from another small boat this afternoon.

Several other attempted crossings were made today.

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However, the group of migrants failed to reach UK waters.

Maritime security sources have told GB News that weather conditions are expected to remain relatively calm tomorrow, increasing the likelihood of more illegal migrant crossings.