HMS RANGER

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Patrol boat rescued nine migrants

On the night of May 18, 2025, the departure of a migrant boat was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which deployed the emergency tug 'Abeille Normandie' (IMO: 9442421) to monitor the boat. During the monitoring, the overloaded boat broke up. The CROSS immediately broadcast a Mayday Relay message, and the tug crew launched three speedboats to rescue the occupants. The vessel was supported by British assets: the 'RNLI 13-07' ( (MMSI: 235106574)) from Dungeness, the Border Force vessel 'Ranger', and a British aircraft present in the area, which responded to the CROSS message. At the same time, the CROSS deployed the French Navy's Dauphin helicopter based in Le Touquet with a medical team from the SMUR maritime de Boulogne-sur-Mer pm bpard- Once on site, the Dauphin hoisted the medical team aboard the 'Abeille Normandie' and searched for any other survivors. The tug's crew rescued 50 people, the RNLI's resources rescued two people, and the 'Ranger' rescued nine people. All castaways were transferred aboard the 'Abeille Normandie'. During its search of the area, the helicopter located an unresponsive person in the water. The RNLI's resources recovered and transferred him aboard the tug, where he was treated and declared deceased by the medical team. Among those rescued were a child and his mother. who were suffering from hypothermia and medevaced by the Dauphin helicopter to Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital, where they were treated. The rescued migrants were dropped off at Boulogne-sur-Mer dock and taken into care by shore based rescue services. A total of 62 people were rescued and taken into care by government services. Two of these people were airlifted to Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital, and one person died.