The coastguard had to issue an urgent appeal for fishing boats to assist a yacht and kayaks in trouble in the English Channel because all Border Force vessels and lifeboats were occupied rescuing migrants.
The appeal was made on Saturday morning as Border Force, coastguard, RNLI and several French vessels dealt with an estimated 15 small boats bearing migrants attempting to cross the Channel. The ships involved include two patrol craft, four Border Force vessels, seven French vessels, a warship and two lifeboats.
The yacht had issued an alert when it started taking on water.
