by Workingman » 28 Apr 2025, 20:05
The French navy is NOT escorting the boats "across" the Channel (the Strait of Dover) as its jurisdiction ends at 9 n,mi. (10,5 mi).from the French coast or the 'median line'. That line is also the limit to where we can send them back to.
Both navies have also a duty to protect other shipping in the Channel and will shadow vessels in transit ensuring safe passage for all, as was done over the weekend with the Russian warships.
It is true that the French (Belgian and Dutch) can stop the boats in their own territorial waters, and that is what everyone should be working towards. What the RN cannot do is intercept the boats in UK territorial or international waters and force them ashore on the French, Belgian or Dutch coasts. That would be against International Law and the Rule of the Sea.