Drones over Channel

[vctenderness]

I have noticed on Flight Radar 24 a drone ex Lydd and making quite a pattern over the Channel. I presume this is to do with the illegal immigrant situation.

[treadigraph]

You are correct.

[Wolverhampton]

Been flying every night for a while. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50673241

[chevvron]

There was a thread about these on Flyer Forums about a year ago.

[yakker]

According to our 'Nige' once found they are escorted by the French into UK waters, where the UK pick them up and bring them into Dover.

[homonculus]

How many illegals can the drone fit at a time?

[SpringHeeledJack]

It seems a much more economical way to observe the migrations than a rotary or fixed wing platform. It seems as Yakker stated, and the film shot by Monsieur Farage that the French coastguard/Navy really do just 'hand them over' to be dealt with by the UK. I suppose they're glad to be reducing the numbers gathering in Northern France.

[N707ZS]

I always wonder why they don't remove the supply of boats.

[Donkey497]

I'd like to know what's happening to the boats once they get to this side of the moat. I'm making the assumption that they're a one way deal, in that once the illegals get to the UK the ownership of the boat is a moot point. Personally, I'd be interested in a new boat for an occasional fishing trip at a reasonable cost. I'd even be willing to pick it up, subject to the current travel restrictions etc.

[vctenderness]

[QUOTE=Donkey497;10797397]I'd like to know what's happening to the boats once they get to this side of the moat. I'm making the assumption that they're a one way deal, in that once the illegals get to the UK the ownership of the boat is a moot point. Personally, I'd be interested in a new boat for an occasional fishing trip at a reasonable cost. I'd even be willing to pick it up, subject to the current travel restrictions etc.[/QUOTE

I’m sure if you contact the French police they will put you in contact with a nice Albanian who can provide you with one at a reasonable price. However it will come complete with 20 sub Saharan Africans claiming to be Syrian refugees!

[Donkey497]

Even if I had a super yacht, I'd be reluctant to have a crew of 20, even less need when I'm only planning a quiet couple of hours dropping a line into a loch. I'd far rather drop a few quid contribution to HMRC or the local constabulary to reimburse them for their time & bother.

Knowing the insane state of things at the moment, It wouldn't surprise me if the boats were being shredded entire & sent to landfill.

[Tech Guy]

Originally Posted by yakker

According to our 'Nige' once found they are escorted by the French into UK waters, where the UK pick them up and bring them into Dover.

Why cant they be escorted by the UK back into French waters for the French to take back?

[SpringHeeledJack]

a) Because the French probably would refuse to take them back, and b) 'We' are a soft touch compared to many other European countries and the question to be asked is why would that be ?