A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for piloting a boat carrying 165 migrants across the English Channel. Chan Mathok Atak, from South Sudan, admitted to endangering the lives of those on board during the crossing on 23 July. His conviction marks the 16th time someone has been sentenced for this offence since it was introduced in January.
Canterbury Crown Court heard that the vessel, often referred to as a “mega dinghy,” was significantly overcrowded at the time of the journey. While this group set a record for the highest number of migrants on a single small boat, that figure was later surpassed in August when 230 people were found on one vessel.
Vessel and Incident Details
- Dimensions: 12.8ft wide by 46.9ft long, comparable to a standard bus.
- Condition: The boat was deflating during the journey and had two outboard engines, one of which was non-functional.
- Provisions: National Crime Agency reports noted limited food, water, and medication, with the crossing lasting nearly 24 hours.
- Safety Risks: Inadequate lifejackets and a high fire risk caused by fuel cans being stored near batteries.
Prosecutor James Harrison explained that Atak, who had no formal navigation training, attempted to evade identification as the helmsman by moving away from the engine and removing his jacket shortly before interception. However, 90 minutes of aerial footage captured him piloting the vessel while wearing a jacket featuring an “Italia” logo.
Judge Sarah Counsell stated that the nature of the offence required an immediate custodial sentence and warned Atak, a foreign national, that he would be liable for automatic deportation upon his release. In his defense, barrister Audrey Mogan argued there was no evidence Atak held responsibility for the state of the dinghy, its overcrowding, or the lack of safety equipment. She further described Atak as a survivor of the “horrors of South Sudan,” noting he had witnessed extreme violence before fleeing.
National Crime Agency senior officer John Turner described the act as “unimaginably reckless,” noting the boat was entirely unsuitable for one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Anna Turley, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, condemned Atak as an “evil criminal,” adding that the sentencing serves as a reminder of the methods used by smuggling gangs to exploit vulnerable people for profit. The report also notes that prosecuting, told the court the boat Atak was piloting was 12.8ft (3.9m) wide and 46.9ft (14.3m) long, a similar length to a standard bus, james Harrison. The report also notes that the boat had travelled between Calais and the UK and was deflating when it was picked up by border force vessels. The report also notes that the dinghy, which had 31 children on board with the youngest aged 14, had two outboard engines but one was not working, the court heard. The report also notes that footage also showed one person “constantly pumping” to try to re-inflate the rigid-hulled inflatable boat. The report also notes that harrison said: “There’s no evidence to suggest that the defendant had any training or experience of conducting this type of navigation. The report also notes that in an interview, Atak said he paid â¬200 euros (£172) to a gang for the crossing but denied he was the helmsman.
