Cranston Inquiry
CompletedInquiry into the search and rescue response to the English Channel small boat tragedy on 24 November 2021, in which over 30 people died.
Parliamentary Activity 13 Click to expand
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour)
Reports (1) Click to expand
| Title | Volume | Publication Date | Tracked recs | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cranston Inquiry Report | - | 05 Feb 2026 | 18 |
Timeline (8) Click to expand
Inquiry established to examine the search and rescue response to the Channel tragedy of 24 November 2021.
SourceA preliminary hearing was held on 24 October 2024.
Oral evidence hearings began on 3 March 2025 (Day 1).
SourceThe oral evidence, family impact statements and closing statements phase concluded on 27 March 2025 (Day 16).
The Cranston Inquiry final report published, containing 18 recommendations for HM Coastguard, Department for Transport, Home Office, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
SourceCosts Click to expand
Cost Breakdown (to Dec 2025)
Cost History
Recommendations (15)
Network flexing risk mitigation
Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation
Regular assessment of assets and resources
Training on normalcy bias
HM Coastguard should provide frequent training and retraining for their staff in aspects of search and rescue specific to small boats, one being the need to avoid normalcy bias, in particular, assumptions about exaggeration in calls from small boats.
Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure
Joint exercises on triage procedure
Those involved in maritime search and rescue should continue to undertake joint exercises on the application of the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure.
IMO recommendation on triage tool
The Department for Transport must consider recommending to the International Maritime Organization that it consider incorporating an in-water mass casualty triage tool within its policies and procedures.
Survivability advice to persons in distress
HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to incorporate the need to provide more comprehensive advice about survivability to people in distress at sea.
Cold water survivability modelling
Equipment and techniques development
HM Coastguard must continue to liaise with search and rescue partners in the UK and abroad to identify opportunities for the development or deployment of equipment and techniques to assist in search and rescue operations.
MoU between Coastguard and Border Force
For so long as the current arrangements in relation to search and rescue in the English Channel remain in place, the roles and responsibilities of HM Coastguard and Border Force should be set out in a memorandum of understanding.
Joint training exercises plan
HM Coastguard should develop and implement a plan for joint training exercises, to occur at set intervals, with participation by those involved in maritime search and rescue in the English Channel and elsewhere.
Mass rescue operation plan
HM Coastguard should develop a mass rescue operation plan that includes command and control, co-ordination, external stakeholders, medical and law enforcement roles, and public and external affairs.