A public inquiry led by Sir Ross Cranston has revealed that the tragic loss of at least 33 lives during a small boat crossing in the English Channel in November 2021 was avoidable. The 454-page report sharply criticizes failures surrounding the deaths of at least 24 men, seven women, and two children. The inquiry could not confirm how many people were on the boat. One survivor said others, including an Ethiopian man and at least two more children, were missing and unaccounted for. Those onboard wore orange life jackets that seemed stuffed with cotton, offering poor flotation. The report found systemic failures, missed chances, and poor resourcing hurt the UK maritime search and rescue efforts that night. HM Coastguard faced a "intolerable position" with chronic staff shortages and low operational capacity, which directly contributed to the failure to save people in the water. Sir Ross Cranston called for an end to small boat crossings through the Channel. He said, "Apart from other reasons it is imperative to prevent further loss of life. Travelling onboard a small, unseaworthy and overcrowded boat and crossing one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, is an inherently dangerous activity." Commenting on coastguard shortages, Cranston said, "This represents a significant, systemic failure on the part of government." Further details from the inquiry are expected soon.