A critical report also warns the Government could miss its target to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the decade.
One of the Border Force boats patrolling UK waters
MPs have
warned the UK Border Force has a "worryingly low" number of boats for
patrolling Britain's coastline and called for the Navy to help.
They have also called for security to be stepped up at smaller ports amid fears they are being targeted by people smugglers.
Controversy erupted earlier this year when it emerged that just three Border Force cutter vessels were being used to patrol the UK's 7,000 miles of coastal borders.
The issue fell under the spotlight when 18 Albanians were rescued from a sinking inflatable off the Kent coast.
In May, ministers announced measures to bolster maritime security, including eight patrol boats for Border Force to boost the existing five-vessel fleet.
The agency has been given a "key role in implementing strengthened
coastal security measures" but is "experiencing problems in gaining
access to a sufficient number of patrol boats", the Commons Home Affairs
committee said.
Its report added: "Only four of the new vessels are currently deployed and the remaining four will not be available for more than a year."
The committee also warned the Government could fail to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, saying there is "scant evidence" to suggest the target will be met by local authorities.
But David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, hit back, and said: "This report is out of date.
"We are confident that there will be sufficient places that will support the Government's pledge to resettle 20,000 people by 2020.
"The focus must now be on ensuring families are matched to the right
placements and that they arrive safely and are well supported."
The wide-ranging report also:
:: Described conditions in Calais migrant camps as "absolutely atrocious";
:: Accused the EU and its member states of failing to anticipate the scale of migrant flows;
:: Called on the Government to, "as a one off", accept 157 unaccompanied children in Calais who have family members in the UK;
:: Said maintaining the Le Touquet agreement, which allows British border checks to take place on French soil, should be a "priority".
Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: "Europe's efforts to address this colossal refugee crisis has been lamentable.
"The atrocious conditions in migrant camps within and on the borders of the richest countries on earth is a source of shame."
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Our priority is to offer humanitarian support to those most in need while maintaining the security of our borders.
"We we continue to work tirelessly to (do this), intercepting attempts to enter the UK illegally and targeting the callous gangs that profit from people smuggling."
Controversy erupted earlier this year when it emerged that just three Border Force cutter vessels were being used to patrol the UK's 7,000 miles of coastal borders.
The issue fell under the spotlight when 18 Albanians were rescued from a sinking inflatable off the Kent coast.
In May, ministers announced measures to bolster maritime security, including eight patrol boats for Border Force to boost the existing five-vessel fleet.
Video:
Former Border Force Chief Urges Action
Its report added: "Only four of the new vessels are currently deployed and the remaining four will not be available for more than a year."
The committee also warned the Government could fail to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, saying there is "scant evidence" to suggest the target will be met by local authorities.
But David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, hit back, and said: "This report is out of date.
"We are confident that there will be sufficient places that will support the Government's pledge to resettle 20,000 people by 2020.
Video:
Growing Concerns Over People Smugglers
The wide-ranging report also:
:: Described conditions in Calais migrant camps as "absolutely atrocious";
:: Accused the EU and its member states of failing to anticipate the scale of migrant flows;
:: Called on the Government to, "as a one off", accept 157 unaccompanied children in Calais who have family members in the UK;
:: Said maintaining the Le Touquet agreement, which allows British border checks to take place on French soil, should be a "priority".
Committee chairman Keith Vaz says Europe's efforts to tackle the refugee crisis are 'lamentable'
"The atrocious conditions in migrant camps within and on the borders of the richest countries on earth is a source of shame."
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Our priority is to offer humanitarian support to those most in need while maintaining the security of our borders.
"We we continue to work tirelessly to (do this), intercepting attempts to enter the UK illegally and targeting the callous gangs that profit from people smuggling."
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