Frontex to support first maritime rescue operations in the English Channel

Frontex is sending its own ships into the English Channel for the first time to support French search-and-rescue operations. The vessels will assist people who get into difficulty while attempting to travel from northern France to Britain.

Two Spanish ships will reinforce French patrols from September to October. A Lithuanian vessel will then take over until January. The ships will work with a surveillance aircraft that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency has operated over the Channel since 2021. France's maritime prefecture will retain command of the Frontex vessels.

The decision followed a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, where migration was among the issues discussed. France's maritime prefecture for the Channel and North Sea said the deployment would temporarily increase French search-and-rescue capacity.

Frontex stressed that the operation is not intended to intercept migrants at sea. French officials pursue people smugglers but do not stop migrants during crossings because they say doing so could put them in greater danger. After a sea rescue, migrants remain at liberty in France.

The Channel is one of the world's busiest shipping routes, and migrants have for years attempted the crossing in inflatable boats. Strong currents make the journey highly dangerous. In August, the French coastguard rescued 157 people from a burning boat. The number of migrants reaching Britain via the Channel fell significantly in the first half of 2026, according to Britain's Home Office.