Migrants in Disguise as Cabbie Boats Face French Coast Guard Fines
Why the French are stepping up to stop the “taxi boats”
The French have finally begun intercepting those tiny vessels—soon to be called cabbie boats—that ferry migrants across the English Channel.
Sources inside the French Interior Ministry confirmed that the new strategy will target the small boats operating within 300 metres of the coast. The aim? To catch them before they even get a chance to cross into the UK.
What’s the plan?
- A fleet of six brand‑new patrol boats will be on standby. They’ll step in to rescue anyone who’s already on the water.
- These vessels also aim to intercept the “cabbie” boats that are busy earning—well, living—by carrying unsuspecting migrants to the UK.
- The French are pushing for a shift in the legal framework: allowing actions in shallow waters while adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the Montreux‑Bay Convention).
Inside the Ministry’s Rationale
The ministry spokesperson told The Telegraph that the current policy mainly permits rescue missions only for boats that are already adrift at sea. “We’re aware of the high stakes in seafaring interventions, and we need to adapt our doctrine,” they said.
They added, “We want to change the framework so we can reduce the illegal taxi‑boat operations without breaking the UN maritime rules.”
Will the UK Catch on?
With the French tightening their nets, the UK’s choppy waters are getting a lot less splashy. Whether this move will smooth out the migration flow or add some new challenges is still up in the water.
