Photo: AP/Stroux
For the last 10 years we are running the Alarm Phone where we receive calls from people in distress at sea via a 24/7 hotline.
We know about your hard and stressful working conditions as seafarers, so today we send you our deepest thanks for every rescue you have carried out!
In the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in the Atlantic and the English Channel, you often rescue refugees who are in distress. Sometimes the boats are small, and sometimes they are very big, and they are almost always overcrowded. We have seen how you carry out these rescues no matter the weather conditions, even though when the waves are high it is dangerous for you as well.
We know that when you provide help your vessel becomes delayed, meaning there is more stress and harder work for you in the next port. But your hearts are wide, and you don’t want to pass by when brothers, sisters and their children are close to drowning.
Today we want to say: we see you! We will never forget every one of you who did what they could to stand by the side of the people in distress.
We name some names of ships who did rescues and we thank the crews of LIDER HALIL, VAULT, JULIET, MAERSK AEGEAN, PROMETHEUS ENERGY, ARDAS I, GAZ VICTORY, IVER ACCORD, MINERVA LEO, LADYBUG and also many others who are not named here.
May you have always a safe journey – and may we all see the day where you never have to rescue refugees again, where we live in a world where freedom of movement is everybody’s right.
