Migrant dinghy heading towards UK was at sea more than 33 hours, French officials say

A migrant vessel is heading towards the UK, as French officials say that it spent more than 33 hours at sea.

A French coastguard vessel had been shadowing the boat since it left the Normandy coast on Monday, with officials responding throughout yesterday and today.

Later, the French Maritime Prefecture for the English Channel and the North Sea (MRCC) said the small boat was carrying around 60 people as it attempted to cross the waterway.

It said in English that its Jobourg centre monitored the vessel from around 9am yesterday to this afternoon, and added it was "ill-suited for such a crossing and whose occupants were weakened after more than 33 hours at sea in precarious conditions".

Sky News understands that the migrants were taken on board two RNLI vessels before being transferred to HMC Vigilant, a border control vessel.

The vessel appeared to have set off close to the village of Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux. Authorities say departures as far west as Normandy are rare.

The MRCC added: "The deployment of French assets specifically responds to the duty to render assistance stipulated by international and maritime law.

"This operation is also carried out within the known and delicate context of the migrants' refusal of assistance, as they are determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom."

It is very rare for the MRCC to send out press releases in English and for it to explain its operations.

Earlier this month, a dinghy had to be met by lifeboats from the Isle of Wight, having set off from the Cherbourg area, triggering angry protests in Portsmouth.

It is thought to have made one of the longest journeys of any small boat in the Channel.

Officials said at the time they believed it was a one-off rather than a sign of new tactics.

The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the migrants will be transferred to Border Security Command.

Two RNLI lifeboats are believed to be on their way to meet the dinghy.

More from Sky News:
What support is UK giving to 'good friend' Saudi Arabia?
UK brings first charges over 1994 Rwandan genocide

Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, the founder of the far-right anti-migration group Patriot Platform, which protested in Portsmouth and Dover this month, shared a YouTube livestream where he showed the boat from the sea.

Speculation from Patriot Platform that the migrants would be taken to Gosport in Hampshire led to hundreds of demonstraters at a police cordon at the road entrance to the marina.

Several men wearing black, some with face coverings, arrived at the front of the protesters with chants of "send them back" from the crowd.

The black-clad protesters remained quiet as they lined up face-to-face with the police officers. Most eventually dispersed without incident.

Conservative MP for Gosport Dame Caroline Dinenage also said on Facebook that Border Force would be taking those who were crossing to Dover by water.

A government spokesperson said of the latest arrival: "The Border Security Command works around the clock to protect our border and will continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival."

It comes after five people were detained and passed to Border Security Command after a migrant boat reached the Kent coast without being intercepted.

The dinghy made it to shore at Folkestone on Monday morning. The Home Office said an investigation has been launched.

Around 17,480 migrants have arrived after crossing the Channel by boat so far this year. The total so far for 2026 is down 46% on the same point last year.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

(c) Sky News 2026: Migrant dinghy heading towards UK was at sea more than 33 hours, French officials say