Why do the reports of small boat departures keep repeating how the French Police/Gendarmes are not allowed to go in the water. Of course they aren't, makes complete sense to me. Loads of electronics (cameras, radios, etc.) probably won't work so well after being submerged in salt water. Take all that kit off? but they carry firearms, take that off and leave on the beach?
Go in with knives and slash the boats and weilding knives around unstable overcrowded boat and somebody loses balance as a wave hits ...
Refugees end-up in water and some have kids and babies and can't swim so a few police to rescue 50+ people from drowning? And it's the Police who caused them to be in the water rather than in the boat.
When I lived in France I used to have a lot of contact with local Gendarmes (they'd frequently come round late pm in summer to sit by millpond and drink (my) beer chatting - there was a reason this started). They are very thorough about training; I was looking to do French equivalent of RYA Powerboat 2 certificate and I was offered joining a group of Gendarmes doing their boat handling training/certification.
Ian