Dear friends of Sea-Eye,
exactly ten years ago, Europe stood by the side of refugees during the long summer of migration. An important signal resounded from the railway stations out into the world: Refugees welcome! In 2025, we see a different reality: isolation, deprivation of rights and shocking incidents at sea. Over 30,000 people have drowned or gone missing in the Mediterranean in the last ten years alone.
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The Italian authorities not only turn a blind eye when people's lives are in danger - they also actively discourage us from rescuing them: After our crew was able to rescue 115 people from distress at sea in the past two weeks, we were assigned harbours after both missions that would have meant several days of sailing. The perfidious thing about this systematic obstruction is that the authorities not only ignored our repeated warnings that the SEA-EYE 5 is not technically designed to travel such long distances and that the time on board poses health risks for the people seeking protection - they are also knowingly keeping us out of the area of operation.
If we stand up for humanity and solidarity, Italy will respond with a well-known consequence: the SEA-EYE 5 was detained in the harbour of Pozzallo at the beginning of the week.
The backstory? Just like after the rescue a week earlier - another official tug-of-war over the port of disembarkation. After the rescue of 65 people, the MRCC in Rome initially assigned the SEA-EYE 5 to the port of Taranto, 390 nautical miles away - despite insufficient range and water reserves on board. It was only after massive pressure and appeals to international maritime law that the control centre relented this time and allowed the approach to the closer port of Pozzallo.
Short-term relief turned into disillusionment only a little later. Once they arrived in Pozzallo, only a transshipment was initially planned: The crew was to select those in need of protection for transfer to a patrol ship, while the rest were to be taken on to Taranto. After a further medical evacuation, hours of negotiation and citing acute emergencies, the SEA-EYE 5 was finally allowed to enter the harbour at around 8.30 pm and bring all those rescued ashore. After disembarking, the ship was initially placed in quarantine. The official 20-day detention finally took place on Monday evening - the first since the SEA-EYE 5 was commissioned in December 2024.
For today's World Refugee Day, our clear answer is: solidarity. ✊
In order to stand up for humanity as effectively as possible and come to the aid of people seeking protection at sea, we need you and your support. A week ago, we launched a donation campaign in which your donation will be doubled thanks to a generous supporter.
Donate now and help twice as much!
Yours
Gorden Isler
- Chairman of Sea-Eye e. V.