How do Sea-Watch activists prepare for a mission?
Media coordinator Theresa tried to find out – and discovered all sorts of answers. One thing is for sure: you can never be fully prepared for the uncertainty of a humanitarian crisis at sea…
This is what a sailor’s suitcase looks like: Peter, the mechanic, has been going to sea for a few decades. He always takes with him replacement glasses, lubricating oil and suncream, in case he ever leaves the engine room. Also something to read – this time Bob Dylan, whose songs he can’t get out of his head.
What have you brought along on the mission? “I’ve got my ship, what more do I need?” answers captain Ruben. But: without salted pretzels and a Coke, nothing on the bridge works at all.
This table makes it clear: photographer Moritz is on board to work. He knows what’s what – this is the second mission for the native of Oldenburg (North Germany). He is has everything he needs for his photojournalism, and now he just has to find the right subjects to make full use of his equipment…
Steffi is half German, half Australian. After her course in international health at the Charité in Berlin, she joined the mission at short notice as a doctor. She’s brought a chocolate bar for (almost) every day so that her nerves aren’t run raw. “If I’d known that the entire ship’s pantry is full of Ritter Sport, I wouldn’t have bothered,” she says with a sweet smile.
Aside from his sunglasses and a splash-proof case for his smartphone, paramedic David has brought this ginger handcream along. “It smells like home”.
This little frog reminds Head of Mission Reinier of a very different voyage: in Dutch, ‘Kicker’ means both frog and kick-starter. The welder from Amsterdam once journeyed all the way around Africa with his girlfriend on his motorbike – but right now he is happier to be at sea than just on the coast.
Nurse Merlin has long been a Sea-Watch supporter – but this is his first mission. In the spirit of things he has brought along the complete activist collection in his suitcase.
Life guard and translator Sandra hasn’t packed a suitcase at all: her bag is ready waiting for her at the basecamp in Malta. She has learned during her many missions for Sea-Watch that she feels most at home when she has her own gloves – they have to be in there.
What a feeling, getting so many good wishes for the journey. For Theresa, these are the most important things in the luggage on Sea-Watch 2. An experienced seafarer sent her a letter wishing her courage. It includes amongst other things tips for seasickness: “Always stay outside, keep busy, always suck on something or chew gum and after vomiting always eat something dry. That helped me, in any case.” For this reason, the media coordinator brought ginger sweets along for the whole crew.
