Fifty-one migrants arrived in Dover on a small boat after spending more than 30 hours at sea, landing at 00:30 BST. The French coastguard said the crossing lasted more than 33 hours.

The boat left the Normandy coast on Monday morning, with French officers monitoring it from the water.

The arrival came after protesters gathered in Gosport, Hampshire, on Tuesday evening, where it was initially thought the group would be brought ashore.

Arrival In Dover

French coastguard officials said the migrants were in “precarious conditions” and that they refused help, saying they were determined to take risks to reach the UK.

British rescue boats were sent to collect people on board. The migrants were then transferred to Border Security Command.

French Coastguard And Rescue Efforts

A government spokesperson said Border Security Command worked “around the clock to protect our border” and would continue to detain, check and process every small boat arrival.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said it was tasked by HM Coastguard to assist those on board “out of concern for their safety and deteriorating health”.

After the boat reached Dover, migrants were later seen disembarking wearing orange life jackets and carrying personal belongings.

Protests In Gosport

About a dozen anti-migrant protesters were spotted near the port area. Local police blocked a nearby road as the group gathered.

Some protesters, including men wearing black clothing and several with face coverings, stood at the front of the crowd and chanted “send them back”.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said six people were arrested after protesters “became hostile towards officers”. It said the group remained in custody and inquiries were ongoing.

It was initially expected that the migrants would be taken to the Portsmouth area. The expectation followed comments from local MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, who said the Home Office had told her it was “increasingly likely”.

Hundreds of anti-migrant demonstrators, surrounded by police, had gathered near Gosport marina on Tuesday evening after early reports about where the boat might land.

Route Uncertainty And UK Crossing Figures

Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, shared a YouTube livestream showing the boat as it crossed the Channel. Thomas is a long-term campaigner against migrants and had organised recent protests in Portsmouth and Dover.

The dinghy appeared to have set off from near the village of Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux, which is unusual for small boat departures.

Earlier this month, another dinghy that launched from near Cherbourg in the Bay of the Seine—further west than boats normally depart—was brought ashore in Hampshire, prompting protests in Portsmouth.

On Monday, 17,480 migrants had arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel by boat so far this year. That total was 46% lower than at the same point last year.

Join the discussion?

23 September 2026

View full article

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

French coastguard officials said the migrants were in “precarious conditions” and that they refused help, saying they were determined to take risks to reach the UK.

Shadowed by the French and offered help, which was refused.

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

British rescue boats were sent to collect people on board. The migrants were then transferred to Border Security Command.

Why were rescue boats sent from the UK when no-one needed rescuing ?

The French were on hand and the migrants refused help.

Maritime Taxi Service

French could have shadowed them until international waters limit and then turned back. UK should let them travel on their own. Unless they are being corralled for other purposes and not simply being allowed to walk ashore and disapear.