Rikke-B Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On August 12, 2021, a significant rescue operation unfolded in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais as multiple migrant vessels encountered distress. At approximately 10:00 a.m., the CROSS Gris-Nez was alerted by the cargo ship m/v 'Elena' regarding a vessel carrying around forty migrants struggling approximately 13 nautical miles off Dunkirk. Immediate assistance was coordinated, involving nearby fishing boats 'Nicolas Jérémy' and 'Notre Dame de Boulogne,' along with the fast rescue boat from the 'Elena,' a Belgian Air Force NH90 helicopter, and the PSP patrol boat 'Flamant' along with Dunkirk's maritime security craft. The NH90 helicopter quickly confirmed that the migrant boat was sinking, leading to the deployment of rescue efforts for those potentially overboard. Numerous castaways were hoisted onto the NH90 helicopter, which subsequently transferred them to the 'Flamant' and the two fishing vessels. One individual was found unconscious by the rescue boat from the 'Elena' and was later transferred to the 'Flamant.' Following a medical consultation with the maritime medical center based in Toulouse and responding SAMU teams from Le Havre, immediate evacuation was deemed necessary. The NH90 helicopter facilitated this evacuation, transporting the survivor to Calais hospital, where medical teams attended to him, but tragically, he later succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, the 'Flamant' continued to rescue castaways, managing to collect all individuals aboard before proceeding to Dunkirk port, where they were met by local fire and rescue services along with border police. Concurrently, the VCSM 'Scarpe' rescued three castaways, then quickly moved to assist another migrant boat in distress after receiving directions from the ferry 'Spirit Of Britain.' Ultimately, the 'Scarpe' successfully retrieved an additional six individuals and transported them to Calais port for similar medical attention. In a separate incident, the lifeboat 'SNS 276-Notre Dame des Flandres' also ventured out to save five individuals from a sinking boat in the Dunkirk channel, bringing them back to Calais for assistance. Throughout the day, CROSS Gris-Nez received numerous distress signals, leading to the deployment of various vessels including a French customs helicopter and the tug 'Abeille Languedoc,' which rescued 37 migrants and transported them safely to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Efforts continued as the ferry 'Spirit of France' reported another distressed vessel, prompting further rescue missions resulting in more individuals being brought to safety. The day concluded with a coordinated effort by the Belgian training ship 'Zenobe Gramme,' which rescued 26 migrants and successfully returned them to Dunkirk. Additionally, the ferry 'Côte d´Opale' facilitated the recovery of five more castaways, continuing the day’s extensive life-saving measures in the busy waters of the English Channel.