Armed Sea Marshals Set For French Ferries

Armed sea marshals will be operating on French ferries within months in the light of increased terror threats, Sky News understands.

A number of French registered ferry companies are preparing the groundwork for the introduction of the added security, similar to the airline industry, with marshals on US and Israeli flights.

There are no plans at the present to introduce marshals on British flagged vessels but UK officers are training and preparing for an attack at sea.

Security forces in several European countries are actively training to help counter sea-borne terror assaults. 

An exercise by the Irish military in May was specifically designed to improve their rapid boarding procedures.

The prospect of armed sea marshals on French cross-Channel vessels was raised this week after a seaborne security exercise involving military personnel.

The drill was carried out by Brittany Ferries aboard the Mont St Michel ferry as it was travelling from Portsmouth to Caen.

Half-way through the six-hour crossing, at about 5.30pm on Monday, three sea marshals landed on the ship by helicopter.

The personnel, who are effectively part of the French military, patrolled the bridge and passenger areas and conducted other security checks.

Up to 800 passengers onboard were warned about the exercise in advance via announcements in English and French.

They were not allowed on the outside decks at the time of the helicopter's arrival.

As the exercise began, Lyn Thompson wrote: "We are bobbing around in the Channel waiting for the French SAS to arrive - in fact the helicopter has just arrived ... chaps hanging out of it and abseiling down. All very exciting!"The sea marshals remained on board until the ferry docked in Caen several hours later.

The exercise followed the recent terror attacks in France, where the government faces growing demands to improve security, and in Germany.

Spokespersons for DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries and P&O Ferries said they were working closely with British and French authorities and would follow any guidance issued on security.

The companies said they were in discussion with security agencies about the deployment of sea marshals on board ships.