1 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:10,880 It's the busiest waterway in the world. 2 00:00:12,640 --> 00:00:16,320 Come on, Skipper, get a move on that way! 3 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:18,360 A gateway to our nation. 4 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,000 Over 90% of the world's trade travels by sea. 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,360 It is not just TVs and refrigerators, it is 6 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:24,840 everything around us. 7 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:27,760 Protected by a multiagency task force, it is 8 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:29,280 a unique stretch of water. 9 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:33,080 This is Warship Tyne. Warship Tyne. General 12... 10 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:34,240 HE MUTTERS 11 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,600 It's very difficult to police the Channel. 12 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,680 To board every vessel is an impossible task. 13 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:44,600 It is a place where swimmers 14 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:48,400 and Sunday sailors fight for space with cruise lines... 15 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,400 ..and cargo ships. 16 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,920 It's like trying to get across the M25 during rush hour. 17 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,920 For some, the English Channel is their place of work. 18 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:02,960 If my mum came out here and saw what I was doing, 19 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,800 she'd tell me to get off straightaway. 20 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,040 For others, it is a playground. 21 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,280 Woohoo! 22 00:01:12,960 --> 00:01:16,840 But for those who venture onto its unpredictable waters... 23 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,640 We are just going to assist the moving of the casualty now. 24 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:21,120 All control, dive off lifeboat. 25 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:23,440 ..it can mean life or death. 26 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:25,080 Just drag it onto the boat! 27 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,240 I hope my babies get to see this and see what Daddy does for a living. 28 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:44,880 Today, on Channel Patrol, 29 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,400 Border Force hones in on a suspicious vessel. 30 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,640 The adrenaline starts pumping when you know that something 31 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,000 is of interest to you when you are boarding a target. 32 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,720 An ex-military team attacks the Channel. 33 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:03,000 It is hard to get back in and swim, because if one person is out, 34 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,320 they're all out. 35 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:07,960 And it is just another day at the office on a wind farm. 36 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:09,320 Yeah, it's pretty unique. 37 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:11,360 Not many people get to see this every day. 38 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:24,240 Every day, hundreds of boats from all over the globe 39 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:26,240 pass through the English Channel. 40 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,160 Freighters from the Far East, fishing trawlers 41 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:37,080 from the Netherlands and ferries passing back and forth to France. 42 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:43,880 They carry cargo. 43 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:45,000 Cars. 44 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:47,920 Catch fish for our dinner. 45 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:52,080 And transport tourists. 46 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,720 Here you go, thank you very much. 47 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:59,560 But not all the consignments and crossings are legal. 48 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:04,560 There are desperate migrants stowing away and smugglers hiding drugs, 49 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,480 contraband and even people inside containers. 50 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:16,400 An array of organisations including the Navy, 51 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,280 Coast Guard and RNLI 52 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,920 are all vigilant to illegal activity. 53 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,320 But on the front line is the UK's Border Force. 54 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:34,440 It's a new world, 55 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:36,440 we've got lots of immigrants coming our way. 56 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,840 So we need to make sure everybody is dealt with properly. 57 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:43,960 The UK's Border Force commands a fleet of five patrol boats 58 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,200 known as cutters. 59 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,160 They operate 24 hours a day, 60 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,360 365 days a year, 61 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,400 and work to intercept smuggling and trafficking. 62 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:01,320 They are the first line of defence against criminal activity 63 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:03,680 before the Channel's ports. 64 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:07,520 Nick Bonner is the commander on HMS Vigilant. 65 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,080 The English Channel is a big place. 66 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:11,400 It starts down the other side of Cornwall, 67 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:14,560 comes right out to Calais, several hundred miles. 68 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:16,960 We can't be in the right place all the right times. 69 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,680 Today, the crew is patrolling the Channel ten miles south 70 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:23,880 of Beachy Head, in Sussex. 71 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,400 While we are at sea, we look out for anything that is unusual, 72 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,600 so if anything is not going to a recognised port, 73 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,200 if it looks like it's the wrong sort of boat in the wrong sort of place. 74 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,720 So basically, we have to keep an open mind, see what we can see. 75 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:43,440 The crew works a demanding two weeks on followed by two weeks' leave. 76 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:48,880 Deck Officer Steve Peel has worked on the cutter for four years. 77 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:53,440 The drawbacks of living on board is obviously I share a cabin 78 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:54,760 with someone else. 79 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:58,720 It can be quite intense and it is a really small ship. 80 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,560 These guys, they do become your family. 81 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,080 By the end of the two weeks on board, 82 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,520 everyone is tearing their hair out and can't wait to get home. 83 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:11,360 Our job can be dangerous and I'm sure my wife does worry, 84 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,000 but I am also sure 85 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,640 that she's pleased to get rid of me for two weeks. 86 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:20,160 Vigilant. Vigilant. From the rear, proceed. 87 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,240 Steve's role is to board suspicious-looking vessels 88 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,360 and conduct interviews and searches. 89 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:34,960 I used to sit behind a desk for ten years of my career. 90 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,560 This job is totally different than that. 91 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,960 And it's the aspect of not knowing what I'm going to be doing 92 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,440 each day is something that I really enjoy. 93 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:55,200 Commander Nick has identified something suspicious 94 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:56,480 further out at sea. 95 00:05:58,080 --> 00:05:59,520 I spotted a yacht on the radar. 96 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:01,400 I've been watching it for ten minutes or so. 97 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,240 And it looks like it is driving fairly erratically. 98 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:08,240 It was going north, so it indicates it's coming maybe from France, 99 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:09,600 maybe from further afield. 100 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,960 Now it has changed course, it is going somewhere else. 101 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:13,400 It is two miles away from us. 102 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:17,240 We'll get a RIB team onto the yacht and just establish his credibility. 103 00:06:21,280 --> 00:06:23,400 RIB team ready, please, onto target. 104 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:26,600 'Two miles. RIB team ready, in five minutes. Thank you.' 105 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,320 I have been in command now for over 20 years 106 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,600 and I still get a buzz out of doing this. 107 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,240 Every time we send a group away, it's different. 108 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,120 We don't know who they are going to talk to, 109 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:44,280 we don't know what they're going to find, and on top of that, 110 00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:46,440 you've got weather conditions to deal with. 111 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:48,920 And increasingly now, people don't even speak English. 112 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,840 So an awful lot of sign language and making ourselves understood 113 00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:54,520 regardless of what nationality people are. 114 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,520 Ben Huggings is the second officer on board. 115 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:04,280 OK, you're ready when we are. 116 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,120 Generally, when the RIB team are deployed, 117 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,080 it's a constant risk assessment to make sure it's safe to carry 118 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:12,120 out the boarding. 119 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,920 Every boarding is completely different. 120 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:22,680 One of the biggest jobs I've had to date is 121 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:28,120 the whole of 400 kilos of cocaine valued at around 100 million. 122 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:30,720 This was south of the Isle of Wight. 123 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,480 The two people who were taken into Portsmouth and arrested 124 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:35,400 are subsequently now in jail. 125 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,160 It was a huge job. 126 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,560 And it was our commander that's on board now, actually, 127 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,920 that was in charge. 128 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:45,560 'Are you ready to copy the name?' 129 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:49,200 This type of equipment that we come on with, 130 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,880 I appreciate we can be quite daunting, intimidating, 131 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,920 but everyone is trained to explain exactly what our intentions are. 132 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,080 The adrenaline starts pumping when you know that something 133 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,440 is of interest to you when you are boarding a target. 134 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:09,680 Part of their job is to go inside the yacht to make sure there is 135 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,760 nobody else down there that we've not been told about. 136 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:15,880 The crew is trained to conduct thorough searches, 137 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:19,880 and sometimes they discover more unusual illegal immigrants. 138 00:08:19,880 --> 00:08:23,280 I do remember finding an iguana once, a long time ago, 139 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,360 which had come from the Caribbean. 140 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,400 One of our other ships has also found one in the last week. 141 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:31,920 Now, I understand that last week's one has gone to London zoo, 142 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:33,440 as did the one I found. 143 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,280 But it was this big. 144 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,560 And when I opened the cupboard, it scared me to death. 145 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,600 The boat they are now heading towards could also be 146 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:45,640 carrying contraband. 147 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,560 It's wayward sailing could be a sign that the skipper is 148 00:08:48,560 --> 00:08:52,480 evading detection or struggling to control his boat. 149 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,880 Either way, it represents a security risk 150 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,040 and is a legitimate target for further investigation. 151 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,440 Every day, 400 commercial vessels, 152 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:18,040 including high-speed ferries carrying up to 2,400 153 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:22,520 passengers at a time, traverse the Channel in the Dover Straits. 154 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:30,560 During the summer months, this traffic is joined by the daring and 155 00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:33,600 determined cross-Channel swimmers. 156 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,800 Their safety in this busy shipping lane is in the hands 157 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,160 of the Coast Guard, two Channel swimming organisations 158 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:41,880 and support boat pilots. 159 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,560 Swimmers run on adrenaline and dreams 160 00:09:45,560 --> 00:09:47,920 and pilots run on reality and safety. 161 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,520 As well as being escorted by a pilot, there are strict rules 162 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,960 to be followed for any attempt to be officially recognised. 163 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,720 It is an endurance sport and it is an extreme sport, 164 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,400 and most people choose to do either an extreme sport or 165 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:09,240 an endurance sport, not combine the both. 166 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,560 We give out a warning to say you don't swim the Channel 167 00:10:12,560 --> 00:10:15,480 if you are not prepared to have your life changed. 168 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:20,680 The 21-mile crossing was first officially swum in 1875. 169 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,640 But more people have climbed Everest than swum the Channel 170 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,760 and nearly half of all attempts end in failure. 171 00:10:32,680 --> 00:10:35,840 My name is Conrad Thorpe and we hope, 172 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:38,400 weather permitting, we'll be swimming the English Channel 173 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:40,480 as a relay of four men. 174 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:45,120 Today, a fearless squad of ex-military amputees are hoping 175 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,320 to conquer this treacherous crossing in a relay. 176 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:52,640 It will be the first time that a team of amputees will have 177 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,320 attempted the Channel, the English Channel, 178 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:58,720 and I hope the four of us as a team succeed. 179 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:00,280 My name is Steve White 180 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,800 and I just came up with the crackpot idea one Sunday evening about 181 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:05,960 swimming the Channel. 182 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:08,320 My name is Jamie Gillespie. 183 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:09,640 I jumped at the chance. 184 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:11,840 You know, it's not something I could turn down. 185 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:13,680 My name is Craig Howorth. 186 00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:17,520 Life is a little bit boring if you don't do things like this. 187 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:21,320 Picking up the phone on a Sunday afternoon, speaking to people, 188 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,240 saying, "Do you fancy doing this?" 189 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,120 with one too many glasses of red wine in your tummy. 190 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:38,160 Ironically, the day that our swim window starts will be the sixth 191 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,480 anniversary of having my leg amputated. 192 00:11:46,560 --> 00:11:48,920 I lost my leg back in 2004. 193 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,440 As a young shoulder soldier, I was involved in a motorcycle 194 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,000 accident just before my 20th birthday. 195 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:57,840 And I damage both of my legs. 196 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,320 One of them could be fixed and the other one couldn't, 197 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:02,400 so I chose to have it amputated. 198 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:05,040 To suddenly lose a limb, of course, it is 199 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:08,000 a challenge that one has to overcome inside your head as well 200 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,080 as the physical disabilities it provides too. 201 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:14,840 If they succeed in their attempts, it will be a new world record. 202 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:21,880 But their main goal is to raise money for BLESMA, a charity 203 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,160 that supports servicemen and women who have lost limbs 204 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:26,600 serving their country. 205 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,760 BLESMA have been there to support me, 206 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,880 help me with various problems I've had over the years. 207 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,360 They picked me up, almost from my hospital bed, 208 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,800 and helped me with my rehabilitation and just gave me 209 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:41,760 a huge, great confidence boost and help put me back on my feet, really. 210 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:51,160 It is a piece of water that is very deceptive. 211 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:58,600 People think of the Channel as rather narrow and benign, 212 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,440 but it is a large piece of sea. 213 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,840 It is subject to lots of weather conditions. 214 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,400 It has the busiest shipping lane in the worlds. 215 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:08,960 Tankers, container ships, bulk carriers, 216 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:12,400 all moving east-west into some of Europe's greatest ports. 217 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,520 Things like the jellyfish and so forth are a concern, 218 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,680 but tidal currents are far more of a concern to me. 219 00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:21,920 Bad sea conditions, rough seas... 220 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,960 And the other thing, of course, being on a boat, it is 221 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:29,160 a very small boat, means it is very unsettled. 222 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:32,000 So the chance of being seasick there is much higher. 223 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:42,440 Tell me when to go. 224 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,880 Each will swim in a relay for one hour before changing. 225 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,480 Whenever you're ready, buddy, off you go. Good luck, man! 226 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:50,760 Woohoo! 227 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:52,520 As the strongest team member, 228 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:57,120 Conrad will swim the first stretch from the official start beach. 229 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,760 We want this swim to be a classified swim, 230 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:03,520 which means we are swimming using the same rules that able-bodied 231 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:04,800 people would use, 232 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:07,920 so there have been no concessions for having a peg leg for us. 233 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:09,880 And I think that is great. 234 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,840 HORN BLOWS Go! 235 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:21,080 Some of the guys have asked if we can swim with silicone socks on our 236 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:23,520 stumps, which we use in the prosthetic legs just to help 237 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,320 with the cold, but they've said no, 238 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:28,200 that wouldn't be a registered swim if we were to do that. 239 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,280 So we all have to swim with our stumps exposed in the water. 240 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,160 The lack of protection from the cold means 241 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,480 they run the risk of experiencing physical sensations 242 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:42,640 from where their limbs used to be, which can be excruciating. 243 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:45,360 But this is not the only hurdle they face. 244 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:50,520 All of us are worried about getting out of the water into the boat. 245 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:55,400 You can't really be assisted, so you have to climb up a ladder. 246 00:14:55,400 --> 00:15:00,200 So climbing up a ladder with only one leg is going to be a hoot, really. 247 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,040 Steve is the one who is going to suffer the most, obviously, 248 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:11,160 being an above-knee amputee, because there is no knee to 249 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,640 put his foot on the step at the back of the boat. 250 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:17,840 You've done your swim and your arms will feel pretty tired, 251 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,320 and then you have got to pull yourself up a ladder with one leg. 252 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,920 The team is coached by Channel swimming veteran 253 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,720 Giovanna Richards. 254 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,880 It is really a difficult day to progress there. 255 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,640 It looks like he's... Yeah, it's very strong. 256 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:36,640 I told him to hammer down. 257 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:40,640 I've told Conrad to swim as hard as he can for the first hour 258 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:44,160 because the tides notoriously near Dover are very strong. 259 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,920 So it is good to push as much as you can in the first hour to get 260 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:51,200 out and actually get into this swim, so to speak. 261 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:59,120 You are doing good, mate! Well done, Conrad! 262 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:06,320 Looking strong as ever. Bloody ox. 263 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,560 He is a tug. Yeah, he is. Toot-toot! 264 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,400 It is time for the first changeover and Steve is up next. 265 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:26,600 Obviously, with no knee, getting up here is going to be a bit tricky. 266 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:30,880 Conrad! Conrad! 267 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:38,280 That's it, mate. 268 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:42,040 Up you come, Conrad, cos he can't go off till you're sat down, fella. 269 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,120 Conrad can only be helped onto the boat once 270 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:47,520 he has hoisted himself clear of the water. 271 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:09,640 Good lad. Yes! Let's go. 272 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,960 How many nautical miles? 1.9. 1.9, good. Well done. 273 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:17,960 Shame, I wanted it to be two. Good work. 274 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,360 That was a good swim, well done. 275 00:17:20,360 --> 00:17:24,400 And Steve is looking lovely and smooth, such a nice stroke. 276 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:29,520 The team is relying on the boat's skipper, Stu, 277 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:30,960 to maintain the right speed 278 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:35,280 and course against ever-changing wind directions and tidal currents. 279 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:40,240 His decisions could have a major impact on how the team fare. 280 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,160 Well done, big fella. Yeah, cheers to you. How was it? Good. 281 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:47,120 I made you chase the boat. 282 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:49,600 I noticed, I liked that. I liked chasing the boat a bit. 283 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,480 You'd let me get a bit of edge in there... Not quite that far back. 284 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,880 No, it's good for your mind, though, to chase something, you know? 285 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:59,720 I was looking for two nautical miles in the first hour and now we're 286 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,000 pushing for at least two nautical miles in the next hour again 287 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,360 in order to kind of get that distance in. 288 00:18:05,360 --> 00:18:08,080 It's very important to keep that distance in. 289 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,360 But I'm going to have a bit of water now, just to get some hydration, 290 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:14,920 and then I am going to have a stout porkpie. Porkpie. 291 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,360 Because it is full of energy. 292 00:18:17,360 --> 00:18:20,760 And that porkpie is going to drive me the next two nautical miles. 293 00:18:20,760 --> 00:18:23,000 HE LAUGHS 294 00:18:31,360 --> 00:18:34,680 Steve has done a lot of open-water swimming, he is very good. 295 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,760 Very good indeed. Very good pace. 296 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:42,760 Another vital member of the support crew is Phil Artingstall, 297 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:45,480 from the Channel Swimming Association, 298 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,640 who will oversee their attempt and ensure this swim is 299 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:51,080 officially recognised if they succeed. 300 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,920 Steve's swimming well. He's swimming at the same stroke 301 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:57,760 rate at the moment as Conrad did - 66 strokes a minute. 302 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,640 And he has dropped his reserve, he's nice and comfortable, 303 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:01,760 so it's a good pace. 304 00:19:05,120 --> 00:19:08,000 The swimmers smother themselves in Vaseline, 305 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,920 not to protect against the cold, but to prevent chafing in salt water. 306 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,400 Jamie is next to take the plunge. 307 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,680 I'm a little bit anxious. 308 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:22,200 I'm not quite as strong as these two guys and I don't want to let anyone 309 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,320 down, so it will be tempting to get in there 310 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,720 and just work too hard, too soon 311 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,160 and blow myself out and look like a mess, 312 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:33,000 so I really have to tell myself, "Relax, slow down, keep your head." 313 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,160 Have a good swim, mate! No touching, Jamie! Go, boy! 314 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,560 As the only above-the-knee amputee, 315 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:47,480 Steve now faces the part of the challenge he's most anxious about. 316 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:50,840 Yeah, he's going to need some help, mate. 317 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:52,560 He doesn't have a knee, but... 318 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,320 Can Jamie carry on? 319 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:07,720 Not yet. 320 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:12,080 You all right? Yep. Good to go? 321 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,560 Well done, Steve! Well done, Steve. 322 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,680 How many is that? How many nautical miles have we got? 323 00:20:21,680 --> 00:20:23,480 3.5. 3.5 total now. 324 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:24,640 He swam 1.6. 325 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:30,480 Halfway into Jamie's swim, 326 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:33,280 the conditions become noticeably choppier. 327 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:39,960 It's the tide, it's the wind, it's the wash from the ferries. 328 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:43,600 It is the Channel. Yeah, it is what it is. It's the Channel, isn't it? 329 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:45,040 It is what it is. 330 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:51,320 Steve begins to suffer with sea sickness. 331 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:57,320 He were OK before he went in the water as well, weren't he? 332 00:21:02,280 --> 00:21:06,960 His body is already depleted after swimming over a mile and a half. 333 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:09,680 And he has to swim again...twice. 334 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,680 What's important is to manage that correctly 335 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:15,960 so he's able to swim again. 336 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:19,520 So he needs to keep his fluids up, eating little snacks - little 337 00:21:19,520 --> 00:21:22,760 and often - taking the seasick pills 338 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:24,720 and just keeping him warm, really, 339 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:28,960 because severe sea sickness can compromise a swim. 340 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:32,160 It is vital Steve takes on fuel to recover. 341 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:35,080 If he pulls out, the swim is over. 342 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:38,400 He has got to get back in and swim, basically. 343 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,840 Yeah, because if one person is out, they are all out. 344 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:43,960 Lovely. Hey, Jamie! 345 00:21:57,360 --> 00:22:01,720 The UK's vast coastline attracts smugglers, traffickers 346 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:05,800 and illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country. 347 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:09,800 Last year alone, 4.5 tonnes of drugs 348 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:14,480 and just under 150 million contraband cigarettes were seized. 349 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,320 And 1,500 suspected immigration offenders were 350 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,840 arrested by the authorities. 351 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:28,880 The UK's Border Force are in operation 24 hours 352 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:32,840 a day on the coastal waters, responding to intelligence 353 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,200 and patrolling high-risk locations. 354 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:38,560 Off the coast of Beachy Head, 355 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:41,880 the Border Force is approaching a suspicious vessel. 356 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:48,400 The boat has been sailing erratically, so officers Steve Peel 357 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:51,640 and Ben Huggings have been dispatched to investigate. 358 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,880 Ben, go ahead. 359 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:03,480 They are in constant contact with Commander Nick on the mother ship. 360 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:05,640 Is very difficult to police the Channel. 361 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:07,440 You can imagine the size of it 362 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,760 and the amount of vessels that are coming in. 363 00:23:10,760 --> 00:23:13,080 To board every vessel is an impossible task, 364 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:16,560 but we do try our best to get on as many as possible to 365 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:19,560 ensure that they aren't carrying anything that they shouldn't be. 366 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,720 Out of 100 vessels, it may only be one vessel that is carrying 367 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,240 something that it shouldn't be. 368 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:27,760 I don't know why this yacht is not going in a straight line. 369 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:31,720 It may be the man just bought it. It may be he can't drive it. 370 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:33,800 It may be he doesn't know what he's doing. 371 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,880 On the other hand, it may be that they have got something they 372 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,200 don't want to talk about, so they're just being a little bit evasive. 373 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,920 But the skipper is not evasive and allows the officers on board. 374 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:58,240 Yes, I understand vessel is secure. Thank you, I'll wait for your call. 375 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:03,800 Um, we've got one person on board there, so it's like a lone sailor. 376 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:06,680 The vessel is secure, means there's been no resistance. 377 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:08,680 It was quite a passive boarding. 378 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,480 So we're just establishing credibility. 379 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,320 OK, so where have you travelled from today? 380 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:17,040 Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. OK. 381 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,320 And where you travelling to? Back to Sovereign Harbour. 382 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:21,520 Eventually. 383 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:25,000 It should have been Brighton, but the wind direction was wrong, 384 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,480 so I didn't make that. 385 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:29,320 And when was the last time you were outside of the UK? 386 00:24:29,320 --> 00:24:32,840 I don't go over the water, I'm coastal only. 387 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:37,120 No problem. Lovely day for a sail. Excellent. 388 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:38,880 The winds are a bit of a mess. Nick, Ben. 389 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:42,240 I'm ready when you are, over. Yes, ready to copy. 390 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:46,400 'Echo, India, Lima, Sierra, Tango, India, Echo, November. 391 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,520 'Do copy, over.' 392 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:50,080 It is all copied, thank you. 393 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:53,800 At the moment, the only information we have is the name of the op, which 394 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,920 we can check through our control, and also where it is registered. 395 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,600 The SSR number is a bit like a car numberplate. 396 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:03,200 It is unique and we can check the owner via that database. 397 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:07,680 Is there anything on the vessel that we need to be aware of? 398 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:11,720 Such as firearms, explosives, controlled drugs, 399 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:13,800 indecent, obscene material? 400 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,160 No, no, no. Nothing at all. 401 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:21,440 Standard flares and emergency equipment, and that's it. 402 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:24,360 We're about two miles just off of Newhaven. 403 00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:27,840 We noticed from our radar that there were several erratic 404 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:29,600 alterations of course. 405 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:31,760 Yes. Could you just tell us why that was the case? 406 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,240 I've been doing that all day, basically, every time I'd 407 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,680 be on the wind and I'd lose it, the wind turned, and I'm back off again. 408 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:41,040 OK, so you're just chasing the wind. Yeah. I stalled out about three times 409 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:42,480 OK. 410 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,680 I'm searching for the wind now. 411 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:50,240 Commander Nick is concerned about his erratic sailing, 412 00:25:50,240 --> 00:25:53,360 especially as he is approaching a major shipping lane. 413 00:25:53,360 --> 00:25:56,600 Two miles, TSS. That's all copied. 414 00:25:56,600 --> 00:26:00,160 So, just to let you know, TSS is two miles to the south of us. 415 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:02,160 It's just for your safety, that's all. Yeah. 416 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:04,720 There's a hell of a lot of ships out there. Yeah, there are. 417 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:07,640 I'm going to have to turn around and sail home anyway. 418 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:10,200 I'm a long way off shore. OK. 419 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:11,960 OK, sir, we're happy. 420 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:15,160 Hopefully, you'll have a safe journey off to Eastbourne. 421 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:17,520 Thank you. OK? 422 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:21,960 The team gives the yacht and its skipper the all clear. 423 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:34,120 We got on the yacht, as you can see, all in black. 424 00:26:34,120 --> 00:26:37,240 The guy was sitting there, thinking, "What is happening here?" 425 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,920 Anyway, it turns out he was just out for the day, 426 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:43,000 just sailing out from Eastbourne, trying to get to Brighton. 427 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:45,800 Unfortunately, the wind wasn't strong enough 428 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:49,880 so he ended up back in Eastbourne today. 429 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,400 When it comes to safeguarding the UK, 430 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,760 the Border Force never take anything on face value. 431 00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:01,840 No-one will ever know what a smuggler looks like, 432 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:04,520 so until we actually start asking questions, 433 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,200 we will never know what is actually there and 434 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:10,400 whether this particular person is someone involved 435 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:11,640 in anything illicit. 436 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:16,880 After a 12-hours shift, the Force returns to shore at Newhaven. 437 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:24,160 We have kept the Channel safe for another day. 438 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:34,840 The UK's coastline is brimming with industries, 439 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:39,320 from marine fisheries, import and export of goods 440 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:41,040 and energy. 441 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:45,440 All of the UK's nuclear power stations are located on coastal 442 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:49,280 sites and are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, 443 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:52,080 something that is thought to be one of the likeliest 444 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:56,400 outcomes of global warming, making them even more at risk. 445 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:02,080 But as an island nation with 11,000 miles of coastline, we are 446 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:06,200 perfectly positioned to harness an important natural resource. 447 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:11,320 The UK has more offshore wind farms than the rest of the world combined. 448 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:19,600 Over 1,000 turbines dotted across 22 locations exploit the strong 449 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:21,200 wind speeds off our coast. 450 00:28:23,360 --> 00:28:26,480 These towering monoliths are helping reduce the UK's 451 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:29,560 reliance on fossil fuels and energy imports. 452 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:36,160 One of the largest wind farms in the world is located in the Channel, 453 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:39,280 seven miles off the coast of Thanet, in Kent. 454 00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:46,800 Offshore technician Stewart Box is on his way to work, 455 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,240 but this is no ordinary commute. 456 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,720 Today we are going to a turbine to do some annual maintenance, 457 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:57,880 just to make sure that all the electrical stuff is still in order. 458 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:04,160 It is a 30-minute boat journey to the turbine field that 459 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:10,040 generates enough clean power to keep 200,000 homes running for a year. 460 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:12,840 I used to be an electrician doing household jobs at factories 461 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:15,760 and shops, but as soon as I had the chance to come out here, 462 00:29:15,760 --> 00:29:16,880 offshore in the wind, 463 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,400 it's like it was a no-brainer, I had to go and do it. 464 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,240 A bit of adventure, a bit different, out at sea. 465 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:24,120 I've been here for nearly four years now, 466 00:29:24,120 --> 00:29:26,040 so when you're out here, it is sort of... 467 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,680 It has become the norm now, but I still look around sometimes, 468 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:30,560 I look outside, and I go, "This is my office. 469 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:32,320 "I can't believe I work here." 470 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:35,480 We come out to maintain the turbines pretty much seven days a week. 471 00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:37,120 There is usually always guys working. 472 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:39,720 We try to get as much work as we possibly can done in the summer, 473 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:42,560 because when the winter comes, we are battling the elements then, 474 00:29:42,560 --> 00:29:45,320 so there is a big push for summer work to get done. 475 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:50,920 When the waves are too high, we can't go offshore to work. 476 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:52,560 Also when the wind is too much... 477 00:29:52,560 --> 00:29:53,880 No matter what, when you think 478 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:56,320 you've got it sussed, something always comes up. 479 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:59,880 It is just a massive challenge just to get work done here. 480 00:29:59,880 --> 00:30:03,840 Today, as well as performing routine internal checks, 481 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:08,600 Stewart must also venture out onto the head of the turbine. 482 00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:12,000 This can be a dangerous job just because you are working at height and 483 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:15,840 you're working at sea, so just being offshore is inherently dangerous. 484 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:21,920 Even the first leg of the journey to the platform at 15 metres is risky. 485 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:25,680 So Stewart makes sure he is hooked on at all times. 486 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:28,280 It is definitely a tiring job what we do. 487 00:30:28,280 --> 00:30:29,720 You are constantly climbing, 488 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:32,480 constantly using your physical energy all the time. 489 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:53,040 Once they are on the platform, it is still 490 00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:56,280 another 70-metre ride up to the very top. 491 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:09,600 You can't do this job if you've got a fear of heights 492 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:12,000 cos you are always working at height. 493 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:17,800 Now we are at the top. 494 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:20,520 We've got to climb another ladder and then we'll get to the top, 495 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,960 which is in the cell, where all the main components are. 496 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:30,520 The space is so tight that the crew has to hoist up the equipment 497 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:32,120 after they are in position. 498 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:46,920 First, the maintenance crew checks the very heart 499 00:31:46,920 --> 00:31:48,680 of the turbine's mechanics. 500 00:31:51,040 --> 00:31:55,280 You can't plug a wind turbine directly into the national grid, 501 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:59,600 so a transformer safely converts the electricity to the right voltage. 502 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:03,600 These transformers step the voltage up from 1,000 volts, 503 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:08,160 which is what the turbine produces electricity at, up to 33,000 volts, 504 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:09,840 which goes into the national grid. 505 00:32:09,840 --> 00:32:12,440 We only get access to this transformer room once a year, 506 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:16,720 so we have to check that the bolts are their correct tightness. 507 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:20,000 With the bolts tightened, it is time to prepare the turbine 508 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,840 so Stewart can climb out onto the summit. 509 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:25,360 Basically, now I am going to lock the blades 510 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:28,360 so that the moving component of the turbines is stopped. 511 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:31,480 You definitely would not want to be outside or anywhere near those blades 512 00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:32,880 when they're moving. 513 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:36,360 You have got no control whatsoever where the wind is taking them. 514 00:32:36,360 --> 00:32:39,320 These are hard-joint locking pins, so you are pumping fluid 515 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,720 into the locks to push pins into the blades to stop them turning. 516 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:49,560 It is now safe for Stewart to brave the elements. 517 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:54,960 A spine chilling 85 metres above sea level. 518 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:59,920 A bit scared. The first time I was up here, I was scared. 519 00:32:59,920 --> 00:33:02,560 If my mum and dad came out here and saw what I was doing up here, 520 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:05,360 my mum would tell me to get off straightaway. 521 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:07,320 Just getting a trust for the equipment. 522 00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:10,400 Once that trust is built, you don't think about the fear factor any more. 523 00:33:10,400 --> 00:33:11,960 As long as you know you are clipping 524 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:13,960 on right and you are doing things properly. 525 00:33:15,280 --> 00:33:16,800 That is what we get to see every day. 526 00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:19,200 It is not always this sunny, but you can't win them all. 527 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:22,720 Yeah, it's pretty unique. Not many people get to see this every day. 528 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:32,760 What we do is preventative maintenance. 529 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:37,960 We're topping off the coolant. 530 00:33:37,960 --> 00:33:42,000 So the coolant basically keeps the generator and gearbox nice and cool, 531 00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:44,800 so just like your car, you have to put coolant in every now and then, 532 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:48,120 that's the same thing we do out here, to make sure it don't shut down. 533 00:33:48,120 --> 00:33:51,520 If there is no coolant in them, these turbines would overheat pretty quick. 534 00:33:57,560 --> 00:34:01,480 Keeping this 100-strong wind farm running is a big job. 535 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:05,440 And Stewart's maintenance crew forms a tight unit. 536 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:08,000 We've got a good group of guys, we have a good laugh, 537 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:10,640 a good bit of banter between us, so get the day to go by. 538 00:34:10,640 --> 00:34:14,680 I don't think Stewart is a very good technician at all. He's very lazy. 539 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:16,480 I'm working with idiots. 540 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:19,040 Always giving me grief, these two monkeys. But it's good, 541 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:21,080 it is always having a laugh. I give them grief, 542 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:22,400 they give me grief. 543 00:34:22,400 --> 00:34:23,920 He does try really hard. 544 00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:27,240 There is a little comfort in there. There is a little sliver. 545 00:34:27,240 --> 00:34:29,520 Yeah, the job is pretty special. 546 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:31,880 I love this job because it is different to any other job 547 00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:35,320 I've ever had, it's different from most people's nine-to-five. 548 00:34:37,160 --> 00:34:39,720 Do you want some more? No, I'm good. 549 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:42,960 You look out and you think, 550 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:46,640 "I'm having my lunch on the top of a tower in the middle of the sea." 551 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:49,240 Nice view. You can see France over there. 552 00:34:49,240 --> 00:34:50,320 Peaceful. 553 00:34:52,160 --> 00:34:54,520 It's not a bad way of life. Is it, boys? 554 00:34:54,520 --> 00:34:57,200 Yeah, we're lucky when it's sunny, we get to sit out on the roof 555 00:34:57,200 --> 00:34:58,560 and have lunch. 556 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:04,760 I think you got to be a bit of an adventurous person to come out 557 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:06,280 here in the first place anyway. 558 00:35:06,280 --> 00:35:08,720 You get your adrenaline rush every day. 559 00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:15,360 I want to be doing this for as long as the body lets me, basically. 560 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,000 In this remote part of the Channel, the mechanics 561 00:35:18,000 --> 00:35:21,680 continue their important work to keep the wind farm running. 562 00:35:22,720 --> 00:35:26,360 All ships in the Dover Strait, this is Dover Coast Guard. 563 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:29,240 But round the corner, in the bustling Dover Straits, 564 00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:32,240 the ex-military amputees have just crossed through 565 00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:35,120 the first of two shipping lanes. 566 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:40,440 Taking it in turns, they have swum alongside vast tankers and ferries. 567 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:42,640 Big cargo ship looming down on us. 568 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:45,560 You are conscious of being too far away from the boat, too close 569 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:48,720 to the boat. You put your head up, take a breath and then you get 570 00:35:48,720 --> 00:35:49,800 a big mouthful of water. 571 00:35:49,800 --> 00:35:52,080 So everything is changing, everything is changing 572 00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,560 all the time and you hardly get the chance to get great 573 00:35:54,560 --> 00:35:58,120 consistency like you would in a flat lake or in a swimming pool. 574 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:04,240 Steve White is about to begin his second swim. 575 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:08,320 He has endured chronic sea sickness and has been unable to refuel. 576 00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:14,320 He must now find the strength to swim two more miles. 577 00:36:14,320 --> 00:36:15,680 If he pulls out, 578 00:36:15,680 --> 00:36:19,480 the team's attempt to set a new world record will end in failure. 579 00:36:22,240 --> 00:36:24,800 The crew is depending on him to dig deep. 580 00:36:26,840 --> 00:36:29,360 When you are in the water, you don't actually feel seasick. 581 00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:32,000 It is actually when you are on the boat that it's worse. 582 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:35,280 So as soon as he gets in the water, he'll feel much better. 583 00:36:37,680 --> 00:36:39,600 But with nothing in his stomach, 584 00:36:39,600 --> 00:36:42,080 the team is worried his energy levels have suffered. 585 00:36:42,080 --> 00:36:44,880 After this one... If he can't keep it down after this one... 586 00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:46,320 Yeah, I'd be worried. 587 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:49,760 He'll pull it out of the tank for this one, but then he needs food. 588 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:51,120 Yeah, he has got to. 589 00:36:54,960 --> 00:36:58,800 As he struggles against the waves, Steve's stroke rate drops. 590 00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:03,680 It is getting to the stage where 591 00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:06,480 they're putting themselves at risk 592 00:37:06,480 --> 00:37:09,720 and there's visible signs that 593 00:37:09,720 --> 00:37:12,640 they're not going to be able to complete it, then yes, you would 594 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:16,120 have to think of stepping and saying, "Enough is enough." 595 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:21,880 Despite running on empty, 596 00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:25,040 Steve covers a respectable distance during his stint. 597 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:30,080 Go for it, Jamie! Come on. 598 00:37:35,880 --> 00:37:38,640 Now he has to try to ride out three hours 599 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:41,240 back on the boat before his next swim. 600 00:37:47,480 --> 00:37:50,080 But the sea sickness returns straightaway. 601 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:58,440 Should I go? Yes, let's go! 602 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:03,560 The team is now halfway across the Channel, but it is impossible 603 00:38:03,560 --> 00:38:07,160 to predict how long it will be until they reach France. 604 00:38:07,160 --> 00:38:10,320 You can never judge a swim this far off. 605 00:38:10,320 --> 00:38:14,440 There's so many variables - the wind could change direction, the tide 606 00:38:14,440 --> 00:38:16,000 could be strong or less strong, 607 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:18,400 you could go farther, you could not go as far... 608 00:38:19,960 --> 00:38:23,400 So predictions at this stage cannot be done. 609 00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:28,240 With Conrad pushing out another two miles, it is 610 00:38:28,240 --> 00:38:30,280 Steve's turn to re-enter the water. 611 00:38:31,680 --> 00:38:34,120 What we need you to do, when you get in there, 612 00:38:34,120 --> 00:38:38,240 is push us out of this lane and into coastal waters. 613 00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:40,400 I'll do that. All right? 614 00:38:45,760 --> 00:38:51,320 Good luck, Steve. Enjoy. Can I go in? Can he go in? Yeah. 615 00:39:00,800 --> 00:39:03,520 We've only got a few miles left now, it's the last big push. 616 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:05,720 We are just going through the second shipping lane. 617 00:39:05,720 --> 00:39:08,320 Once we get to the other side of that, then it is the final push 618 00:39:08,320 --> 00:39:09,880 to France. 619 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:16,640 Steve's stroke rate is up by four strokes a minute on his last swim. 620 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:19,240 His stroke rate is 66 strokes a minute. 621 00:39:19,240 --> 00:39:21,040 You can see him pulling as well. 622 00:39:23,800 --> 00:39:26,480 Doing well for a man who is not feeling too good. 623 00:39:29,560 --> 00:39:33,560 There is something just on the horizon there. That is France! 624 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:38,560 Yay! Well done. 625 00:39:41,800 --> 00:39:44,360 Bring it home, brothers. 626 00:39:44,360 --> 00:39:46,000 He has done his job. 627 00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:48,600 I asked him to get the team to the edge of the lane, 628 00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:50,680 and he has done that. 629 00:39:50,680 --> 00:39:52,840 So good on him. 630 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:54,840 Despite the sea sickness, 631 00:39:54,840 --> 00:39:59,640 Steve's efforts put the team firmly on course for success. 632 00:39:59,640 --> 00:40:02,320 Well done, Steve. Good work! 633 00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:04,760 You all right? Yeah. Well done. 634 00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:07,880 You are counting on your mates now. 635 00:40:09,720 --> 00:40:12,400 This is really important for us as a group of lads. 636 00:40:13,680 --> 00:40:16,960 With France in sight and the tide on their side, 637 00:40:16,960 --> 00:40:20,320 Jamie and Craig also turn out their best swims of the day. 638 00:40:22,040 --> 00:40:23,320 Go on, Craig! 639 00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:32,880 With the landing beach in sight, it is 640 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:36,040 now up to Conrad to swim the last stretch to France... 641 00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:41,440 ..in what could be a world record. 642 00:40:43,920 --> 00:40:45,440 Good lad. 643 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:51,680 Go on, Conrad! 644 00:40:55,760 --> 00:40:59,920 But now the coastal tide is painfully prolonging the finish. 645 00:40:59,920 --> 00:41:04,440 It is pushing us down there and what we want to be doing is either 646 00:41:04,440 --> 00:41:08,160 going straight in there or going right in the corner to the beaches. 647 00:41:10,640 --> 00:41:13,880 What we are going to have to do is just let the tide go and then try 648 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:15,520 and pull us back around here. 649 00:41:22,880 --> 00:41:24,520 Come on, Conrad! 650 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:32,520 Despite the poor weather and tough Channel conditions, 651 00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:37,400 the team complete their swim in just 12 hours and 14 minutes. 652 00:41:39,320 --> 00:41:41,960 THEY YELL 653 00:41:41,960 --> 00:41:44,680 HORN SOUNDS 654 00:41:52,400 --> 00:41:54,840 Really happy. Just really pleased it is done. 655 00:41:54,840 --> 00:41:57,680 Steve struggled big time. 656 00:41:57,680 --> 00:42:00,680 I'm pleased... I'm pleased that we made it. 657 00:42:04,240 --> 00:42:08,000 Great job, Conrad. Well done, mate. Awesome. Hell of a swim, man. 658 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:10,240 You did exactly what I asked you to do. 659 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:15,720 Well done, mate, well done. Excellent. 660 00:42:15,720 --> 00:42:18,600 You know, we've done it, we have completed it as a team, 661 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:26,200 which is fantastic. And we came and did what we said we were going to do. 662 00:42:26,200 --> 00:42:28,480 That's it. 663 00:42:28,480 --> 00:42:31,000 Well done, fellas. 664 00:42:31,000 --> 00:42:34,000 They have set a new world record, 665 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:38,320 becoming the first all-amputee relay team to cross the Channel. 666 00:42:40,240 --> 00:42:44,320 The team must now return to Dover, to a tradition that awaits all 667 00:42:44,320 --> 00:42:48,120 those who have successfully made the swim. 668 00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:51,320 The money they have raised will go towards helping other 669 00:42:51,320 --> 00:42:56,120 ex-servicemen and women recover from and live with limb loss. 670 00:42:56,120 --> 00:42:59,320 To the team. Well done. 671 00:42:59,320 --> 00:43:02,280 And to a new world record as well. 672 00:43:02,280 --> 00:43:04,120 ALL: Yes! 673 00:43:04,120 --> 00:43:05,400 Well done. 674 00:43:06,880 --> 00:43:09,040 In achieving a world first, 675 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:12,880 their names are forever etched in the history books of the Channel. 676 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:18,480 The place where so many other battles have been lost and won.