No rescue without you
#IRescueToo: Join us in bringing the Sea‑Watch 5 into operation!
With a new rescue ship – the Sea‑Watch 5 – we will write a new chapter of solidarity with people on the move. But not Sea‑Watch alone, we – the civil society – send this ship to the deadliest border in the world. All of us who, even today, do not simply abandon people fleeing to their fate. All of us who want to change something and do not give up hope for a colorful and open Europe.
For months, the war in Ukraine or inflation have overshadowed the catastrophic events on the Mediterranean. More and more loudly we have to remind that every day people drown on their flight to Europe – more than 1,100 this year alone.
The Sea‑Watch 5 is our response to the European Union’s immobility. This rescue ship is a symbol of solidarity and cohesion. For support and assistance. For persevering and carrying on.
In the beginning of November in Hamburg, the Sea‑Watch 5 was christened. Now, the ship is undergoing final constructions in Flensburg, Germany, in preparation for its first operations in the Central Mediterranean 2023.
You can become a part of her story – come on board and support the purchase and rebuilding of the Sea‑Watch 5 with your donation or supporting membership! #IRescueToo
Donation form
This is how your donation helps:
15 € can provide a warming blanket. Often people rescued from distress at sea suffer from dangerous hypothermia.
30 € can provide a guest with a new set of clothes: a warm sweater, pants, T-shirt, socks and underwear.
50 € finances hot meals for 100 guests. A dish usually includes rice, beans and spinach.
250 € allows medical treatment of a guest with chemical burns. These are caused by a mixture of gasoline and salt water.
3.000 € is the cost of leasing a life raft for our new ship for one year. A life raft has space to save up to 60 people from drowning.
60.000 € costs the construction of the shelter roof on the Sea-Watch 5. The tent construction provides protection from sun, rain, sea spray and waves for 400 guests.
Background
Seven years at sea. No land in sight. Quo vadisLatin: “Where are you going?”, Sea‑Watch?
When we set out on our first rescue mission in the central Mediterranean in June 2015, no one would have guessed what kind of odyssey we would face. From political blockades in Germany, Italy, Malta and the Netherlands, to numerous confrontations with an alleged Libyan coast guard. At times, weeks of fighting took place for the safe landing of survivors, and then a global pandemic, which made our work considerably more difficult.
701 tons of solidarity – Bye bye, Sea‑Watch 3!
Only one day after the Sea‑Watch 1 set sail in 2015, another ship set off from Malta into the central Mediterranean Sea – the Dignity 1. For two years, this ship sailed on behalf of the Spanish contingent of Doctors Without Borders, rescuing thousands of people from distress at sea. Then in mid-2017 it was taken over by us, becoming the Sea‑Watch 3. Already the first Sea‑Watch 3 mission led ship and crew into our most harrowing confrontation with the so-called Libyan Coast Guard.
The ship “Sea‑Watch 5”
Younger (built in 2010): Sea‑Watch 5 will be the youngest of our vessels and is in particularly good condition. An extensive engine overhaul was also completed only a short time ago.
Faster: Her maximum speed: 13 knots – so we can reach sea emergencies even faster. This is especially important when boats are very far away.
Larger: capacity of the deck area: 230m² – so she can accommodate up to 500 guests. This size especially makes the stay of rescued persons safer and more comfortable.
More efficient: Due to shorter shipyard times, we can go on rescue missions even more often. In addition, we will have lower fixed costs in the long term.
In a strong alliance: With the Sea‑Watch 4 (now Humanity 1) as the first alliance ship, we have set a sign of solidarity. Together with United4Rescue and hundreds of alliance partners, Sea‑Watch 5 will also stand up for letting no one drown.
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