The Isle of Wight Council is aware of the ongoing migrant boat incident in the English Channel and is embedded in the multi-agency response, Reform UK group leader Councillor James Whelan has said.
It comes as a small boat carrying up to 100 migrants continues across the English Channel today (Tuesday), with RNLI lifeboats from Eastbourne and Hastings launched to intercept the vessel. It is thought that the migrants will be brought ashore at Gosport later today.
Taking to social media, Councillor Whelan, who leads the Reform UK group on the Isle of Wight Council, has sought to reassure Islanders that the likelihood of the small boat itself landing on the Isle of Wight is “very very very low”.
He has also said that the likelihood of those onboard being brought to the Isle of Wight once rescued is “very low”.
According to Councillor Whelan, the Isle of Wight Council is aware of what is happening and is embedded in the multi-agency response to the developing situation.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the small boat is thought to have left French shores near Caen at around 21:00 last night (Monday).
The French vessel ‘Abeille Liberte’ has been shadowing the boat, which has since entered British waters. A Coastguard Rescue plane from Newquay has also been circling above the vessel as it makes its way across the Channel.
RNLI All Weather Lifeboats from Eastbourne and Hastings have been launched to intercept the boat.
The latest incident comes just over 2 weeks after more than 150 migrants were intercepted in the English Channel by Bembridge and Yarmouth RNLI crews.
Those migrants were eventually brought ashore at Eastney Beach in Portsmouth on Sunday 6th September.
