FRENCH WARSHIP
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111 migrants rescued alive, two deceased
On May 3, 2026, several attempted crossings by migrant boats were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which deployed the following resources for surveillance: • The 'VB Abeille Normandie', chartered by the French Navy; • The 'Minck', chartered by the French State; • The 'Ridens', chartered by the French State; • The 'Armoise' of the Maritime Gendarmerie; • The 'Yser' of the Maritime Gendarmerie; • The 'Arago' of the French Navy; • The 'Pluvier' of the French Navy; • a Dauphin helicopter, from the 35th Naval Air Flotilla detachment of the French Navy in Le Touquet, • The 'SNS 7-034 - Notre Dame des Sables' from the SNSM station in Berck-sur-Mer; • The 'SNS 076 - Président Jacques Huret' from the SNSM station in Boulogne-sur-Mer. During the night, a patrol of the internal security forces reported a precarious vessel carrying migrants in the southern sector of Hardelot. Following a technical failure, the boat drifted out to sea. 17 people were rescued by the 'Minck' under the coordination of CROSS Gris-Nez. The rescued migrants were disembarked at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer at 4:00 a.m. The CROSS also deployed the 'Armoise' to search for any other possible victims. The entire area where the incident occurred was covered by the patrol boat, but no victims were located. The other occupants of the makeshift boat reached the beach, where they were met by firefighters and security forces. In the afternoon, the Pas-de-Calais Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) relayed a witness's report to the CROSS Gris-Nez of an attempted embarkation of numerous migrants gathered on a beach near Hardelot. The patrol boat 'Arago' and the lifeboat 'SNS 076 - Président Jacques Huret' were dispatched to monitor the boat. During the crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, and after the boat's engine failed, all 94 people required to be rescued. 85 people were taken aboard the 'Arago', while nine others were rescued by the 'SNS 076 - Président Jacques Huret'. All castaways were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Two migrants deceased.
Medevac near Bay of Canche
On Nov 13, 2025, the CROSS Gris-Nez was notified by the Navy's Channel and North Sea Operations Center of the deteriorating health condition of a crew member of the 'Arago', which was sailing near the Bay of Canche. Following the initial treatment by the ship's medic, the CROSS initiated a conference call with the Maritime Medical Consultation Center (CCMM) based in Toulouse and the Maritime Medical Coordination Center (SCMM) in Le Havre. The medical evacuation of the patient was recommended. The CROSS Gris-Nez then dispatched the a Dauphin helicopter of the French Navy base in Le Touquet, which embarked a medical team from the Maritime Emergency and Resuscitation Mobile Service (SMUR-M). The medical team was dropped off on the 'Arago', and the Dauphin helicopter then hoisted the sick sailor and transported him along with the medical team to the hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer for further medical treatment.
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