Navy may patrol British waters in event of no-deal Brexit

European vessels operating in UK’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) could be impounded

The HMS Tyne is one of four Navy vessels that could be used to patrol British waters in the event of a no-deal Brexit. (Rex Features)

The UK will have four Royal Navy boats on standby to prevent European fishing vessels from operating in its waters in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it has been revealed.

The 80-metre-long ships would patrol Britain’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which covers an area up to 200 miles from the coast.

The vessels, which are armed with machine guns, would be able to stop, search and impound trawlers fishing without permission in the EEZ, according to the Guardian.

A navy source told the paper that firearms would only be used if life was at risk. “Nobody is going to be firing warning shots against French fishermen; firearms are only used when there is danger to life,” they said.

Nevertheless, the government’s preparations recall the “cod wars” between the UK and Iceland in the 1970s as well as the more recent “scallop wars” between British and French fishing vessels in 2018.

The confirmation of the move comes as a no-deal Brexit looks increasingly likely, after negotiations this week were unable to bridge disagreements between the UK and the EU.

Fishing rights remains a stumbling block to a potential free trade agreement, with Ms von der Leyen reiterating the EU’s position on Friday. 

“We understand that the UK aspires to control its waters. The UK must, on the other hand, understand the legitimate expectations of EU fishing fleets built on decades and sometimes centuries of access,” she said.

The scale of the fisheries problem was highlighted earlier this week when the EU suggested that the transition period for fishing be extended for a year to allow a deal to be reached.

The confirmation of possible Navy patrols from January may be seen in Brussels as a warning shot from the UK ahead of further talks this weekend. 

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP who chairs the defence select committee, said the government’s potential measure was “irresponsible”.

“Global threats increasing, Navy overstretched. Here we are squaring up to a NATO ally as beneath the same sea increased Russian sub/ drone activity goes unchecked,” he tweeted on Friday evening.

Additional reporting from PA