We asked 4 questions to the current crew of the Sea-Watch 4.
Ambroise is on board as AB Seafarer. He has been involved in search and rescue operations since 2016 and has a clear message to the Italian authorities.
Why are you on board of the Sea-Watch 4?
I am on board of the Sea-Watch 4 because everyone else is looking away and closing their eyes on the Mediterranean. We need to do this job because there are no safe escape routes and people who are on the move have no other option but to take the dangerous passage over the central Mediterranean.
How is the atmosphere on board?
We are all frustrated because we should not be in port. There is no rescue ship in the Central Mediterranean. We don’t need to be stuck in port! We need to be back in operation!
What is your message to the Italian authorities?
Free the ships. Stop hindering sea rescue. And stop weaponizing port state controls. It is cynical to use these arguments to prevent us from rescuing people in distress.
What is different today compared to the first time you were involved in search and rescue operations in 2016?
The attention about the situation in the Mediterranean was much higher back then. There was a consensus that no one should die at sea. Now, the narrative has changed and people on the move are framed as being not worthy of survival. I never thought that we would be here, four years later, still doing the same job.
