UK Yacht Organisation Warns Sailors Against Rescuing Migrants at Sea in Fear of Prosecution

A group of people on board the Dover lifeboat following a small boat incident in the English Channel are brought in to Dover, Kent, England, on Nov. 11, 2021. Gareth Fuller/PA

The UK’s Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has cautioned sailors about rescuing channel crossing migrants as it’s feared a proposed change in the law may expose the sailors to prosecution if they bring the migrants to the British shore.

The Telegraph said the association advised sailors to “stand off and report” migrants instead of carrying out rescues themselves.