The Mail on Sunday

Border Force gets £20,000 jet-skis to halt migrant boats

- By Max Aitchison

BRITAIN’S Border Force is planning to launch a fleet of high-speed jet-skis to patrol the Channel in its fight to deter migrant boat gangs.

The Home Office wants to buy four Sea Doo GTX 170 vessels, each costing up to £ 20,000 and capable of reaching 55mph.

Record numbers of migrants have risked their lives to make the crossing this year, with more than 8,500 estimated to have reached Britain – up from 1,850 last year.

In October, five members of a Kurdish-Iranian family drowned after their overcrowde­d semi-rigid boat sank in poor weather.

Border Force wants the jet-skis because its rigid-hulled inflatable boats are deemed to pose a risk in ‘ close quarters engagement’ as they can ‘ride up on to a small dingy and risk injury to those inside’.

A contract inviting bids, published by the Home Office last week, stipulates the jet-skis must have ‘lifting points’ to help migrants out of dinghies.

The Sea Doo GTX Fish Pro 170 is normally sold for use in game fishing. After trials with two Sea Doo jet-skis, Border Force now wants four to add to its five patrol boats and six coastal patrol vehicles.

Last week, Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay France £28 million to double its number of officers trying to stop migrants crossing the Channel.

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