Working Conditions Aboard the Argonaute

On August 3, authorities activated the CROSS Gris-Nez following the sighting of a migrant vessel near Veules-les-Roses. The Dieppe-based SNSM station quickly joined forces with the 'Argonaute' and later the 'Minck' to closely monitor the boat's precarious journey throughout the night into August 4. During these surveillance efforts, it became apparent that five individuals aboard the vessel were in distress and required immediate assistance. Rescuers from the 'SNS 076,' based in Boulogne-sur-Mer, promptly retrieved these individuals and transported them back to safety at the Boulogne port, while the rest of those on board declined further help from the French rescue teams. Tragically, on the morning of August 4, still operating within a French rescue zone but near the British border, the engine of the migrant vessel erupted in flames, compromising its structural integrity. In response, the CROSS issued a Mayday relay message and coordinated an extensive rescue operation, mobilizing various resources including the 'Minck' with its RIB, the 'Argonaute,' and a Dauphin helicopter from the 35F flotilla located in Le Touquet. Additional assistance came from the lifeboat 'RNLI 14 02' from Eastbourne, multiple British Border Force vessels including the 'BSC Contender' and 'BSC Courageous,' along with a medical team of two paramedics from SAMU 62 in Boulogne-sur-Mer. CENTOPS also deployed the 'ESMP 03' to the scene. In total, a remarkable 173 people were rescued during this mission: five by the 'SNS 076,' 30 by the BSAA 'Argonaute,' 75 by the 'Minck,' and 63 by British rescue teams. All rescued individuals were subsequently taken to the 'BSC Contender' and disembarked in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they received care from rescue services on August 4 at 12:30 PM.

On June 18, 2026, the CROSS Gris-Nez acted swiftly in response to distress signals from various migrant vessels. A robust array of rescue resources was deployed, including the distinguished 'Abeille Normandie', the 'Argonaute', the 'Cormoran', the 'Minck', the 'Aber Ildut', the 'SNS 076 - Président Jacques Huret', and 'SNS 7-034', along with a Navy Dauphin helicopter from Le Touquet. Early in the morning, an alert from the Internal Security Forces (FSI) prompted CROSS to investigate reports of a large group on the beach near Wissant. The 'Abeille Normandie' along with a personal watercraft from the Pas-de-Calais Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 62) quickly responded to the area. During this operation, the 'Abeille Normandie' successfully rescued three individuals who were later attended to by local rescue services upon reaching Calais. In a concurrent operation, another FSI patrol highlighted a growing crowd attempting to board a vessel at Sainte-Cécile beach. In coordination with the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operations Center, CROSS deployed the 'Argonaute' and 'SNS 7-034'. Remarkably, the 'SNS 7-034' managed to rescue eight migrants during the embarkation at Le Portel, transferring them promptly to the beach firefighters for assistance. As events unfolded, 68 additional people were rescued by the 'Argonaute' once it had set out to sea. Recognizing the need for urgent care, CROSS dispatched the 'SNS 076' to assist two individuals requiring critical support, who were subsequently disembarked at Boulogne-sur-Mer. Afterward, the 'Argonaute' proceeded to Calais, successfully offloading the remaining 66 rescued persons. Meanwhile, the 'Cormoran' monitored the vessel as it approached the English coast, managing to rescue two more migrants along the way; they were also sent to the 'SNS 076' for disembarkation at Boulogne-sur-Mer. As rescue operations continued, another migrant boat was reported near Grand-Fort-Philippe, which the 'Minck' was dispatched to monitor. It successfully recovered seven individuals, who were then transferred to the 'Président Jacques Huret' for further assistance. In a continuing effort, a fourth boat was identified by the French Maritime Security Forces off Ecault beach. The 'Argonaute' and 'SNS 076' were promptly sent to provide help; they rescued 67 individuals who were returned to Boulogne-sur-Mer, receiving immediate care from local rescue teams. Lastly, a fifth vessel was detected by the Dieppe semaphore. In response, the CROSS dispatched the 'Aber Ildut' along with the 'Abeille Normandie'. During this operation, the 'Abeille Normandie' rescued two additional migrants who were subsequently taken to Calais for assistance from shore-based services. These coordinated rescue missions underscore the vital role of maritime safety services in responding to migrant distress calls and ensuring the safety of those attempting perilous crossings.

On June 15, a series of urgent distress signals from migrant boats reached the CROSS Gris-Nez, prompting an immediate and multi-faceted rescue operation. Key maritime resources mobilized included the 'VB Abeille Normandie', the BSAA 'Argonaute', the PSP 'Cormoran', and rescue vessels 'Minck' and 'Ridens'. Additionally, the VCSM 'Aber Ildut', the RHIB 'SNS 6-016 - Entre-deux Baies' from the SNSM station at Port-Mahon, and a patrol boat named 'Calidris', alongside a watercraft from the Pas-de-Calais Departmental Fire and Rescue Service, were deployed to monitor and aid the situation. The Ault lighthouse played a crucial role in alerting CROSS on the morning after a boat departed from the Cayeux-sur-Mer area. In response, both the 'VB Abeille Normandie' rescue boat and the RHIB were dispatched to the designated zone for prompt assistance. Additional support from land-based resources was coordinated as well, leading to the rescue of three individuals aboard the 'VB Abeille Normandie', who were then safely transported to Boulogne-sur-Mer for essential medical treatment provided by local rescue services. In a continued effort, a second vessel was detected by the Dieppe lighthouse, prompting the 'Argonaute' to investigate and stand by for any necessary aid. During this operation, 30 migrants were successfully rescued and brought to shore at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where care was immediately provided by ground authorities. Later that same day, another distress call from the Ault lighthouse indicated a third boat in the Cayeux-sur-Mer region. This prompted CROSS to deploy the RHIB, the 'Cormoran' rescue boat, and additional support from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operations Center. The 'Cormoran' managed to rescue two more individuals before safely disembarking them in Boulogne-sur-Mer, underscoring the collaborative efforts that ensured the safe return of a total of 35 migrants through these maritime operations.

On June 14, a distress call was made regarding a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Dieppe, prompting the CROSS Gris-Nez to take urgent action. The Dieppe signal station alerted emergency services, leading to a coordinated response from several maritime resources. The operation involved the BSAA 'Argonaute,' the SNSM lifeboat 'SNS 080 - Notre Dame de Bonsecours,' and the VCSM 'Aber Ildut' from the Maritime Gendarmerie. Approximately one hour into the operation, two migrants aboard the vessel sought help and were successfully rescued by the 'Argonaute's rescue boat (EDO). Following their rescue, the two individuals were promptly transferred to the lifeboat for safe transportation back to the port of Dieppe, where local rescue services were waiting to assist them. Later the same day, a third individual from the migrant boat reached out for assistance. They were initially brought aboard the 'Argonaute' before being moved to the 'Aber Ildut,' which ultimately transported the individual to the port of Dieppe, ensuring that all necessary support from rescue services was readily available.

On December 5, a merchant vessel lost six tanks while navigating, sparking a focused recovery operation. The crew of the 'Argonaute', supported by a team of four skilled clearance divers from the French Navy, successfully secured one of the tanks on December 6. They hoisted it aboard and positioned it on the vessel's rear deck. The 'Argonaute' docked at the military port of Cherbourg early in the afternoon, where the 8-meter tank is set to remain while awaiting necessary administrative actions with the shipowner for proper handling. Unfortunately, the remaining five tanks have yet to be located. Ongoing aerial and maritime surveillance efforts are being coordinated with CROSS Jobourg and local maritime authorities to ensure a thorough search. For further details, you can view the report with accompanying images here: https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/perte-de-cargaison-a-l-entree-du-dispositif-de-separation-du-trafic-dst-des-casquets-50-cp-n-02.

In the early hours of November 4, the French Navy's vessel 'Argonaute', along with an H160 helicopter from Maupertus and a Falcon 50 aircraft stationed in Lann-Bihoué, embarked on a challenging mission following a distress call from a commercial ship. The vessel reported the loss of six empty, eight-meter-long stainless steel tanks more than 60 kilometers off the coast of the Hague. Faced with northwest winds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour and challenging sea conditions, the merchant ship quickly lost sight of the drifting tanks. In response, the CROSS Jobourg issued critical safety communications via VHF radio to alert nearby vessels, effectively mitigating the risk of potential collisions with the lost cargo. An AVURNAV warning was also disseminated by the maritime prefecture to further caution marine traffic in the vicinity. Despite the formidable weather, one of the tanks was successfully located on the afternoon of December 5. The crew of the 'Argonaute' made multiple attempts to secure the tank using towing equipment, but worsening weather conditions led to the towing wire breaking, leaving the tank adrift once more. Tracking its trajectory southeastward became the priority until it reached the shallow depths near Alderney. The situation was later handed over to the Channel Islands Coastguard, who successfully relocated the tank near Raz Blanchard. Plans for another towing attempt by the 'Argonaute' are currently underway as efforts continue to secure the lost cargo. For further details and visual documentation of the operation, visit the following links: [Le Marin Report](https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/shipping/un-navire-perd-six-cuves-au-large-de-la-hague-f1710e6e-937e-11ee-acd4-3231fc8195a7) and [Premar Manche Announcement](https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/perte-de-cargaison-a-l-entree-du-dispositif-de-separation-du-trafic-dst-des-casquets-50).

On the night of December 1, 2023, the CROSS Gris-Nez received an urgent alert about two migrant vessels facing distress near Boulogne-sur-Mer. In response, the 'Argonaute' was dispatched to the first boat, successfully rescuing 24 individuals. They were safely delivered to the Port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, where local emergency services and Border Police provided necessary assistance. Simultaneously, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the French Navy's hydrographic vessel, 'Borda', to aid a second boat in peril. The crew managed to recover 22 migrants, who were suffering from mild hypothermia. Medical personnel onboard attended to them promptly. However, several individuals chose to decline further assistance, despite the risks associated with such a decision, including potential falls overboard and exposure to the harsh weather. Concerned about their safety, the team opted to allow these migrants to continue their journey, while maintaining surveillance with the 'Borda'. As the day progressed, the 'Borda' made its way back to the Port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Once docked, all rescued individuals received necessary support from land rescue services and Border Police, marking a successful humanitarian operation amid challenging conditions.