A Border Force cutter was dispatched to intercept the trio, who are believed to be Iranian nationals, after they were spotted by a passing ferry in the strait of Dover early on Tuesday morning. Agents took them to Dover for processing by immigration officials. All three were wearing lifejackets.
The rescue will raise concerns that the Channel could become a route of irregular migration on a similar scale as those in the Mediterranean, as seas calm and weather improves over the summer.
Last month, after the rescue of 18 Albanians and two Britons off the Kent coast, John Vine, a former chief inspector of borders and immigration, warned that lives could be lost unless more boats were deployed to patrol for migrants trying to reach the UK.
Around the same time, new powers were introduced for Border Force officers allowing them to board boats and arrest anyone they suspect of trying to enter Britain illegally, part of a package of measures ordered earlier this year by the home secretary, Theresa May.
The Border Force is waiting for the arrival of a fleet of new 20-metre patrol vessels to strengthen operations against people smugglers, gun runners and drug gangs.
The first of the vessels, which are designed to be more nimble than the cutters, is due to come into operation this summer, with the rest in use by the end of 2017.
The Home Office said: “Border Force was contacted at 5.23am this morning, Tuesday 7 June, by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency informing us that a small boat had been spotted by a ferry, containing three people wearing lifejackets.
“A Border Force cutter was deployed immediately and picked up the individuals on board who are believed to be Iranian nationals. They have since been transported to Dover where processing of the group is under way.”
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