The English Channel is home to the world 's busiest shipping lanes . More than 500 vessels pass through the channel that is only 34 metres across at its shortest navigable point . `` Today we have 12 attempts at swimming the Channel . Some of the world 's biggest cargo ships use the channel alongside smaller vessels such as yachts , fishing boats and swimmers .
The English Channel is home to the world 's busiest shipping lanes . More than 500 vessels pass through the channel that is only 34 metres across at its shortest navigable point . Some of the world 's biggest cargo ships use the channel alongside smaller vessels such as yachts , fishing boats and swimmers .