The Solent, Cowes, Isle of Wight

For my next port of call in Sailing The Shipping Forecast, I spend a day with the men and women of Border Force — the UK’s frontline defence at sea — working to stop illegal immigration, smuggling, and threats to national security. Operating across ports, airports and coastlines, Border Force safeguards the Solent — a vital maritime corridor teeming with yachts, ferries, cargo ships, and the occasional clandestine vessel. In 2024–25, their operations led to a record £3 billion haul of illegal dr

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