An undercover Guardian investigation found that large 'mega-dinghies' used in Channel crossings can be bought cheaply from Chinese manufacturers, with vessels sold without EU safety certification.
Key facts
- Boats carrying hundreds of people are a growing trend in Channel crossings, according to the Guardian.
- A Chinese company offered large dinghies to an undercover Guardian reporter posing as a client.
- The company had a production capacity of 500 boats a month.
- Seven- or eight-metre military-style dinghies were offered at $1,678 (£1,238) each, without engines.
- The cheaper boats lacked CE certification, the mandatory EU health and safety mark.
Boats carrying hundreds of people across the English Channel represent what the Guardian describes as a clear and alarming trend. A key question raised by the investigation is where these unusually large vessels originate, and how they enter the supply chains used in perilous crossings.
To find out, an undercover Guardian reporter posed as a prospective client and approached a Chinese company. According to the report, a sales manager said providing a large dinghy suited to the choppy seas of western Europe was not a problem, provided the order was for more than 20 vessels.
The sales manager reportedly shared an online brochure for the reporter to review. The company said it had a production capacity of 500 boats a month and indicated that even larger boats were available for the right price.
According to the Guardian, the company could supply a seven- or even an eight-metre military-style dinghy for $1,678 (£1,238) a boat, without engines. However, these boats would lack CE certification, the mandatory mark showing a product meets EU health and safety requirements.
The findings point to an accessible and low-cost supply route for the type of large vessels increasingly seen in Channel crossings, raising questions about how such boats are manufactured, sold and shipped. Additional reporting for the investigation was provided by Lyndon Li.
Why it matters
The availability of cheap, large and uncertified dinghies helps explain why Channel crossings involving hundreds of people at once have become more common. Understanding the supply chain behind these vessels is central to efforts to address both the safety risks and the enforcement challenges surrounding irregular crossings.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the large dinghies used in Channel crossings come from?
According to the Guardian's undercover investigation, large dinghies can be sourced from Chinese manufacturers, one of which offered vessels to a reporter posing as a prospective client.
How much do these mega-dinghies cost?
The Guardian reported that a seven- or eight-metre military-style dinghy was offered for $1,678 (£1,238) per boat, without engines.
Are these boats certified as safe?
The cheaper boats offered lacked CE certification, the mandatory mark that shows a product meets EU health and safety requirements, according to the Guardian.