The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) said it has for the first time deployed a patrol vessel to the English Channel to support French search-and-rescue operations for overloaded migrant boats. The vessel, provided by the Spanish Civil Guard, began operating this week near the French coast and will work with Frontex reconnaissance aircraft that have been deployed over the Channel since 2021. Frontex said the ship’s mandate is limited to supporting French SAR — not intercepting mig

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) said it has for the first time deployed a patrol vessel to the English Channel to support French search-and-rescue operations for overloaded migrant boats. The vessel, provided by the Spanish Civil Guard, began operating this week near the French coast and will work with Frontex reconnaissance aircraft that have been deployed over the Channel since 2021. Frontex said the ship’s mandate is limited to supporting French SAR — not intercepting migrants — and will detect, identify and track small boats and relay real-time information to French authorities. Additional vessels from other EU member states are scheduled to join the operation in coming months.