TV historian rescues stranded travellers

The historian and broadcaster, Dan Snow has returned to Dover from Calais, with about 25 stranded travellers he rescued using three motorboats.

His rescue mission used rigid inflatable boats, known as ‘ribs’.

He has crossed the Channel to help those affected by flight restrictions, but he said the French police had ordered him not to return.

Presenter Dan Snow’s bid to rescue tourists halted

TV presenter Dan Snow’s mission to bring back home people stranded in France has been halted by officials.
The historian had filled three rigid inflatable boats with 25 people but was told by officials in Calais that he would not be able to return.
Snow and his team had been planning on ferrying people back to Dover throughout Sunday. Each round trip was expected to take two hours.
A spokesperson for the group said they did not know the reason why.
He added that the team, who are currently awaiting clearance to leave Calais, have been told that once these boats leave, they will not be able to return.
“It is hugely disappointing, particularly for the hundreds of people who were making their way to Calais, as well as for Dan and his team.”
Dan Snow said the idea came about after his friend’s wife became stranded as airspace across Europe was closed following the Icelandic volcanic ash alert.
He said it was also inspired by a recent project for the BBC marking the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation.

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He had planned to run a continuous ferry service back to Dover throughout Sunday – a 40 minute trip across the 26 mile stretch of the English Channel.

Any profits would go to the Help for Heroes charity. But French officials only allowed him to use three boats to rescue 25 people.

Arriving back in Dover, Snow said he was “disappointed” to have left so many people behind.

“The French shut us down – it’s a real shame. I’m really a bit disappointed and feel bad for all the people we left behind.

“I got a lot of text messages saying ‘where are you? We are at the rendezvous point’. I feel really sad about that.”

Asked why the operation had been halted, Snow said: “They didn’t like the idea of all those RIBs turning up and taking Brits back.

“They just told us they didn’t like us doing it and said it was bad competition for the ferries.”