Border security blow after ship used to spot migrants out of action for two MONTHS

A PATROL ship used to spot Channel migrants is out of action for two months — leaving a fleet of four.

Border Force cutter HMC Protector is awaiting repairs.

The setback comes after the number of migrants arriving by boat from France this year reached 28,561 last week — compared with 28,526 in all of 2021.

The cutters deter illegal immigration, intercept traffickers and gather intelligence.

The Government is trying to find a contractor for the £138,000 fix of Protector, Home Office documents show.

Work includes cleaning out sewage, repainting the sewage tank, and resealing hatches.

Officials published a request on September 8 and hope to have a contractor by next Thursday. Work is due to be completed by November’s end.

The request said: “HMC Protector has a requirement for a period of works. This package is to be undertaken at the Associated British Port of Lowestoft (HMC Protector is currently in Storage here).”

Protector came into service in 2014 and was used in the Med before being returned to the Channel in 2019 by then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid. Last month it was revealed Border Force had signed a £2m deal for three Seacat boats.

Home Office sources insisted the planned work on Protector would not impact policing of the Channel.

They said the number of operational vessels deployed in the South East has been consistent throughout summer.

The Home Office did not say how long HMC Protector had been in storage.