A flotilla of 66 boats commemorating the Dunkirk evacuation was reportedly forced to divert course in the English Channel today after Border Force and the French Navy enforced a one-nautical-mile exclusion zone—to allow safe passage for a migrant boat.
The flotilla, which departed from Ramsgate to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, was part of a coordinated tribute honouring those rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk during WWII. But according to multiple eyewitness accounts and social media posts, including one by commentator Kelvin MacKenzie, the vessels were instructed to hold or alter their course to avoid a conflict with ongoing migrant rescue operations.
What Happened?
- Event: Commemorative Dunkirk flotilla crossing
- Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
- Participants: 66 vessels from the UK
- Incident: Diverted by UK Border Force and French Navy
- Reason: Migrant boat with people onboard required a secure path through the Channel
Official Position
A Home Office source confirmed that maritime safety procedures required a temporary exclusion zone to be enforced while the migrant vessel was intercepted and safely escorted, in line with joint UK-France protocols.
A spokesperson for the UK Border Force said:
While we fully support commemorative maritime events, the safety of all lives at sea remains paramount. An exclusion zone was implemented temporarily to prevent collision risks and allow a migrant vessel in distress to be handled appropriately.
Public Reaction
Many participants in the commemoration expressed frustration at the diversion. One participant told UK News in Pictures “We were there to honour history. To be redirected like this feels symbolic of a government with misplaced priorities.”
However, others defended the decision, citing the need to prevent maritime accidents and respect international search-and-rescue obligations.
Background: Channel Crossings Surge
Today’s incident comes amid a record number of small boat crossings in 2025, with over 13,000 migrants having reached the UK so far this year. Five people have died in the past 10 days attempting the journey, prompting renewed debate over border security and humanitarian response.
Diplomatic Balance
This event also highlights the ongoing operational complexity of the UK-France Joint Coordination on Channel crossings. French authorities have stepped up patrols in response to UK pressure, but incidents like this underscore the tension between domestic priorities and international maritime law.
