Vb-Puissant Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On May 11, 2023, alarming reports of multiple migrant boat departures flooded the CROSS Gris-Nez Regional, operating in the busy Strait of Dover (IMO 62). In response, a series of rescue assets were mobilized to monitor these vulnerable vessels. Early in the day, one particular boat encountered severe difficulties near Malo-Les-Bains, prompting the deployment of the BSAM 'Rhône' for aerial surveillance. As the overcrowded vessel struggled, some migrants leapt overboard in a desperate bid for safety. The CROSS quickly dispatched the 'VB Puissant' alongside the Dunkirk Maritime and Port Security vessel 'ESMP 04' to assist. The 'VB Puissant' successfully rescued 22 individuals, including several who were injured, while the 'Rhône', aided by the maritime gendarmerie boat, helped 23 more migrants. However, the remaining individuals on the migrant boat declined assistance and persisted on their journey. Once at the Dunkirk port, a total of 45 migrants were safely brought ashore and were taken into custody by local authorities. Simultaneously, a second vessel was reported in the vicinity of Dunkirk. The CROSS engaged the 'Minck' for surveillance, leading to the rescue of 23 migrants who sought help, while others opted to continue their perilous journey. These individuals were later transferred to Calais, where rescue teams provided necessary support. As night fell, another distress call emerged from a boat launched from Hardelot, which was tracked by the patrol vessel 'Thémis'. Tragically, the boat succumbed to structural failure and began breaking apart. The CROSS acted swiftly, deploying 'Abeille Normandie' alongside a Dauphin helicopter and a medical team from Boulogne-sur-Mer. While 13 people were rescued by 'Thémis', one individual was pronounced dead by medical personnel on-site. The 'Abeille Normandie' subsequently recovered the remaining passengers, culminating in a total of 68 rescues, including several who required medical attention. Disturbingly, one fatality was reported in this incident. Later that night, another boat carried 56 individuals who requested urgent help and were promptly rescued by the vessel 'Ridens', bringing the grand total of rescued migrants to 192 on that fateful day, with a heartbreaking report of one lost life. On May 1, 2025, the CROSS Gris-Nez similarly coordinated efforts after the 'ESMP 04' detected yet another boat with 45 occupants leaving Dunkirk. The 'Abeille Normandie' was dispatched and later succeeded by the 'Jacques Oudart Fourmentin', which aided three migrants ashore in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Concurrently, a second boat with 76 individuals set sail from Dunkirk around 6:00 AM. The 'Minck' alerted the CROSS regarding the overloaded situation, leading to the involvement of the lifeboat 'SNS276-Notre-Dame des Flandres' and, subsequently, the 'Armoise' from the Maritime Gendarmerie, who managed to rescue all aboard after an engine failure caused distress. Among the rescued, one person required medical assistance, prompting a conference via the Maritime Medical Coordination Emergency Service based in Le Havre. After safely docking in Calais, the 76 rescued migrants received aid from land authorities, while firefighters attended to the injured individual. Earlier that morning, at 6:00 AM, another boat carrying 68 migrants was spotted off the coast of Gravelines by 'Notre Dame de Flandres' from the Gravelines SNSM station. The 'Abeille Normandie', which had been monitoring the situation, quickly reported that the vessel was taking on water and initiated a rescue operation, utilizing their EDO boat to successfully recover all individuals aboard, including two who were injured. Ultimately, a total of 147 individuals were rescued that day, further highlighting the dire realities faced in these treacherous waters.