Listen: Migrant fleeing police tried to leave Britain by crossing Channel in kayak

Ukrainian refugee spotted off the British coast is eventually rescued in French waters and begs not to be arrested

A migrant believed to be fleeing British police tried to cross the Channel to France in a kayak on Sunday.
The Ukrainian refugee was first seen by a member of the public off the British coast, sparking an unsuccessful search by a Dover lifeboat in coastal waters.
It was not until he reached the middle of the Channel that he was picked up by crew on the survey vessel Marshall Art, who had spotted him frantically paddling towards their boat.
By Sunday night he was in Calais after being taken off the survey vessel, which was in French waters when it brought him on board.
The incident was caught on taped conversations between the Marshall Art and the French and British coastguards as they tried to figure out his intentions.
A Marshall Art crew member initially contacted Dover coastguard to ask whether they were “aware of any kayakers doing anything that has been arranged”.
“We have just spotted a kayaker roughly 300 to 400 metres off our stern. We are quite a long way off and in the middle [of the Channel]. In this weather, I am not sure if he intends to be here,” said the Marshall Art.
Dover coastguard replied that they were not and asked if there were any signs of distress.
“None yet but he is making quite a direct course for our vessel so I would guess he is looking for help,” said the Marshall Art, noting that he was “working rather hard” to get close to the vessel.
Once brought aboard, the Marshall Art told Dover coastguard that the man was asking not to be arrested, adding: “I suspect what he wants to do is after a rest, get back on his kayak.
“He is unclear about his destination. He was asking for directions to France. He has come on board for a rest and a drink but he has expressed concern that we may arrest him.”
According to maritime sources, the man who said he was Ukrainian was fleeing police in the UK although it was not clear what offence he might be suspected of.
It has been rare for migrants to use kayaks to try to cross the Channel as numbers have increased and people smugglers have been offering crossings via dinghies.
Between August and September 2018, around eight migrants were recorded as having attempted to cross in kayaks.
On each occasion they used an inflatable Decathlon model, costing between €200 and €300, according to BBC reports at the time.
Masoud Mohammadifar, an Iranian who represented his nation in international canoe competitions, paddled into British waters and was picked up by Border Force off the coast of Kent in August 2024.
However, he warned others not to follow him and said: “I don’t want to see people die. 
“This kayak is really not working in the Channel.” 
The 39-year-old said anyone attempting the crossing in an inflatable kayak was “playing with their life”.
Since the first crossings were made in 2018, some 136,000 migrants have reached the UK from France via small boats. It is thought Sunday’s incident may be the first where a migrant has used a kayak to go in the other direction.