A 19-year-old asylum seeker from South Sudan has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for endangering lives during a Channel crossing. Chan Atak piloted an overcrowded inflatable dinghy carrying 165 people on July 23, marking the highest number of passengers recorded on such a crossing.

The vessel, equipped with two outboard engines, experienced significant mechanical difficulties during the journey, including one engine failing and tubing on the boat beginning to deflate. Aerial footage presented in court showed an individual continuously pumping the boat to reinflate it, while Atak was seen operating the craft for approximately 90 minutes. At one point, Atak reportedly crouched among passengers and removed his jacket, apparently to avoid being identified as the helmsman.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Judge Sarah Counsell emphasized Atak’s significant role in steering and controlling the dinghy, stating that his involvement was deliberate and not merely incidental. The judge highlighted the inherent dangers of these crossings, noting that such small inflatable vessels are not designed for offshore sea travel. She pointed out the absence of navigation and emergency signaling equipment, as well as proper firefighting gear aboard the boat, which further increased risks to those on board.

While Atak was convicted of endangering lives at sea, the court found no evidence that he organized the crossing or profited from it. During questioning, Atak admitted to paying 200 euros to a gang to facilitate the crossing. He pleaded guilty to the offense in August.

The sentence carries implications beyond imprisonment, as Atak’s status as a foreign national makes him liable for automatic deportation to South Sudan following his release.