News Exercise #264

1) How did Mr Andy Roberts describe the level of danger in this crossing?
2) How had fisherman Matt Coker (from East London) been alerted to the dingdy’s existence, and how did he find it?
3) What was Coker’s final opinion on the matter?

Answers:
1) How did Mr Andy Roberts describe the level of danger in this crossing?
He said that the English Channel was the busiest thoroughfare for shipping in the world, and that a ship wouldn’t even know it had hit them.
2) How had fisherman Matt Coker (from East London) been alerted to the dingdy’s existence, and how did he find it?
He had heard on the radio a ferry informing the coastguard that they had seen something, and he had also received a ‘mayday’ (originated from French m’adier=help me). One of the fishermen flashed a torch (US flashlight) and they saw another torch flash back.
3) What was Coker’s final opinion on the matter?
He said, “No matter what your political views on the subject, or what should happen or shouldn’t happen, they’re still people just trying to survive.”