PSP CORMORAN

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Course/Position

Latest news

46 migrants rescued in two responses

On April 21, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez, which initally deployed the PSP 'Cormoran', which was later relieved by the 'Abeille Normandie', to locate a boat in the Blériot beach area. Once on site, the emergenvy tug made contact with the boat, which appeared to be in difficulty. After investigation, the boat was found to be stopped due to an engine failure. The tug then recovered the 42 occupants of the boat before heading to Boulogne-sur-Mer to drop them off at the dock, where they were taken into care by the shore-based emergency services. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Cormoran' to locate and assist a migrant boat in the Walde lighthouse area. Once there, four of the boat's occupants requested assistance from the patrol boat, which rescued them. The remaining occupantsof the migrant boat refused assistance and continued on their way, while their crossing was monitored. Once near Calais, the people rescued by the 'Cormoran' were taken into care by the patrol boat 'Platoon' of the Calais Maritime and Port Security. They were disembarked at the port of Calais and taken into care by the shore based authorities. In total, 46 people were recovered and taken into care by government resources.

24 migrants rescued, one died

On the morning of April 18, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off the coasts of Pas-de-Calais and Nord. First, a boat was reported departing from Cap Blanc-Nez. The CROSS deployed an aircraft to monitor the boat's departure and the Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos', which was then relieved by the 'Cormoran' to continue monitoring the boat. The crew launched their operational droma boat (EDO) to make contact with the boat. The occupants refused the offered assistance. The 'Cormoran' continued its surveillance of the boat until arriving in the British SAR region, where it was taken over by the British emergency services. During the recovery by British assets assisted by the 'Cormoran', one person was reported unconscious. A medevac was coordinated by the British rescue center. The victim was declared dead as they approached Dover. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Oyapock' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, to relocate a migrant boat adrift from Gravelines. Once there, the vessel made contact with the boat's occupants, who refused the assistance offered. Shortly after, the occupants requested assistance from the vessel, which then picked up all nine occupants before dropping them off at the port of Dunkirk. Late in the morning, a migrant boat set sail from Equihen beach. The 'Pluvier' was hired by CROSS to locate and monitor the boat. The boat was heavily laden. While conducting surveillance near the boat, the 'Pluvier' reported the deflation of the boat's inflatable tubes and people who had fallen into the water. The victims in the water were immediately recovered by the 'Pluvier's EDO. The 'Minck' was deployed to support the 'Pluvier'. A total of 15 people were rescued. The other occupants of the boat refused all assistance and resumed their journey, under the supervision of the 'Minck', towards British waters after having managed to reinflate the boat's inflatable tube. In total, 24 people were rescued by French resources.

30 migrants rescued in three responses

On the morning of April 15, numerous migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez between the Walde Lighthouse and Dunkirk. The CROSS deployed several maritime rescue resources to monitor the boats. Initially, the CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the 'Abeille Normandie' to track a boat off the coast of Gravelines. The emergency tug quickly launched its RHIB to assist the occupants of the boat, which was experiencing engine difficulties, and rescued 11 people and brought them to the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer. At the same time, the CROSS deployed the 'Cormoran' to conduct boat surveillance off the coast of Equihen. Upon arrival, the patrol boat launched its RHIB and made contact with the boat, some of whose occupants requested assistance. In total, the RHIB picked up 12 people and dropped them off at the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Furthermore, the CROSS deployed another patrol boat, the 'Pluvier', to assist a boat in distress off the coast of Bleriot. Once the 'Pluvier' arrived on scene, some of the boat's occupants requested assistance. It picked up seven people on board and dropped them off in Calais. In total, 30 people were assisted and taken into care by the emergency services.