Man filmed piloting overcrowded Channel dinghy while holding baby
Video filmed off Gravelines shows a man operating an overcrowded dinghy’s motor while holding a baby, as other passengers wade from shore with children and pass them aboard. The footage has prompted calls for the man to be prosecuted for endangering life at sea, highlighting the risks to children on Channel crossings.
The boat left on 27 September, when 526 people crossed to Britain on seven boats. Since the offence of endangering life at sea was introduced in January, 45 people have been charged; 20 pleaded guilty and were convicted, receiving prison sentences of up to 27 months. The article also reports that children under 18 make up about 15 per cent of small-boat arrivals, and that 20,935 people had arrived by small boat in 2026 as of Saturday.
- Footage shows a man piloting a Channel dinghy while carrying a baby.
- The crossing took place on a day when 526 people arrived on seven boats.
- Forty-five people have been charged under the sea-safety offence.
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Small boats have long been used by people seeking to cross the English Channel from France to Britain. The journeys can be dangerous because the boats are often overcrowded and exposed to changing sea conditions, and children are among those making the crossing.
Gravelines is a coastal area in northern France, near a stretch of shoreline from which some boats set off. British law makes it an offence to endanger life at sea, and people charged under that law may face prison if convicted.
The issue involves people attempting the crossing, including families with children, and the authorities responsible for maritime safety and law enforcement. It matters because a dangerous journey can put passengers at risk, while prosecutions raise questions about responsibility for their safety.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Moment small boat migrant holds baby in his arms as he pilots overcrowded dinghy across the Channel”.