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Old 23-11-2021, 21:22   #1
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Leave drowning migrants to die – or face prosecution, sailors warned

"The Royal Yacht Association (RYA) has warned its members against rescuing migrants at sea amid fears they could be prosecuted and jailed for people smuggling.

The RYA has advised sailors to “stand off and report” migrants rather than rescue them in face of draft laws that would prosecute them if they saved asylum seekers from drowning and brought them ashore.

It has joined with MPs in opposing the laws, which also criminalise migrant rescue missions in the Channel by Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) crews if they bring them to shore."

Reference link for more details:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/leave-dro...175734645.html

Feel free to express your thoughts, considerations and emotions.

Regards,

Dan
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Old 23-11-2021, 22:06   #2
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Re: Leave drowning migrants to die – or face prosecution, sailors warned

There's a lot of politics involved.

Both sides agree it's bad legislation. One side wanted to sort it before it became law, the other side wanted to pass it then amend it. Unfortunately the government has one more person on the committee than the opposition , so the pass/then amend camp won (


https://www.theyworkforyou.com/pbc/2021-22/Nationality_and_Borders_Bill/11-0_2021-10-28a.430.

"I have set out my intention to amend the clause on Report to ensure that organisations such as the RNLI, as well as those directed by Her Majesty’s Coastguard and individuals fulfilling their obligation to rescue those in distress at sea, may continue to act as they do now. We also intend to ensure that the provision does not prevent those responsible for vessels from complying with their obligations if they discover stowaways on board as they journey to the UK. I have heard what the Committee has said, and the Committee has on record my undertaking to develop an amendment for Report. Also, I intend to write to the Committee to further put on record that we are working towards this aim strongly, and in a considered way; yet again, I want to put that beyond any doubt."

Given that, I doubt that anyone genuinely acting as a samaritan will be prosecuted.
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Old 24-11-2021, 05:42   #3
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Re: Leave drowning migrants to die – or face prosecution, sailors warned

This is nothing new.

First, as a cruiser with a sailing yacht, you aren't able to provide assistance to the average over-crowded refugee boat with usually 30 to 120 people on board without endangering yourself. By the rules of SOLAS, you're required to take care of the safety of your crew first. Harsh but clear.

Next approaching such an overcrowded boat isn't without danger to you and the boat. Many a refugee boat capsized and many lives were lost when the refugees started to panic to get off. So your approach might well lead to their deaths. You might want to check how rescue operation approach these boat. They stand off until they establish communication and are confident the requests from the rescuers are followed. If not, they move away until calm is restored.

And last, losing or finding crew underway is hairy business. Once you arrive at the next port, you'll have a lot of explaining to do, specially of you found some people without proper immigration papers. And should you appear insincere, you'll be quickly moved from rescuer to human trafficker.

For all these reasons, the only proper way to deal with such a situation in the past 15 years was:
  • Stay well off to protect your own ship and crew
  • Inform MRCC (usually refugees are in coastal waters or close by)
  • Follow their instructions (usually wait for the professionals)
  • Let them deal with it
  • Don't be stupid
So these new regulations aren't in reality anything new. Just some posturing to appear tough by politicians.
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Old 06-03-2022, 13:48   #4
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Re: Leave drowning migrants to die – or face prosecution, sailors warned

Quote:
Originally Posted by Montanan View Post
"The Royal Yacht Association (RYA) has warned its members against rescuing migrants at sea amid fears they could be prosecuted and jailed for people smuggling.

The RYA has advised sailors to “stand off and report” migrants rather than rescue them in face of draft laws that would prosecute them if they saved asylum seekers from drowning and brought them ashore.

It has joined with MPs in opposing the laws, which also criminalise migrant rescue missions in the Channel by Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) crews if they bring them to shore."

Reference link for more details:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/leave-dro...175734645.html

Feel free to express your thoughts, considerations and emotions.

Regards,

Dan
UK government announced they would not prosecute for life saving, don't know how other countries react but that seems fair.
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