The Sea Watch has just passed the Port City of Faro in the Algarve region of Portugal. In the next 48 hours she will sail through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea where she will effectively commence her first operational patrol keeping a lookout for migrant boats in distress. Last week, ‘Watch-the Med’,…
Month: May 2015
Anti-Smuggling Legislation and Migrant Rights
In a worrying development the EU recently approved plans to establish a naval force to combat people-smugglers facilitating migration from the Middle-East and North Africa to Europe. Much in line with the mandate adopted by EU Ministers to quash Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean, the new naval force will have authority to destroy the…
Port of Lisbon
The Sea Watch and her crew safely arrived in the Port of Lisbon on the 24 May. The sea conditions were far more favourable when compared to the 4m swells she contended with in the Bay of Biscay. All on board are in positive form and the shore-side team are gearing up for her arrival in Malta…
Port of Coruna
The Sea Watch and her crew pulled in to the Port of Coruna on the evening of Monday 18 May. The five on board are in good spirits but some poor sea conditions have affected the vessel’s progress. On current estimates the Sea Watch will arrive in Malta on or around the 9 June. But as those…
European Commission unveil plans for an EU refugee quota system
In a week that saw the European Commission unveil plans for an EU wide refugee quota system, migration in the Mediterranean continues to divide opinion among Member States. With this in mind it is fitting that we remind ourselves that, contrary to some politicians’ assertions, under certain circumstances access to international protection is not a…
Port of Brest
The Sea-Watch is currently moored at the Port of Brest where she is refuelling and taking on more supplies. The crew are all well and in high spirits despite the slight delay to the schedule.
Legal Analysis: UNCLOS and the duty to render assistance
Following on from my recent introductory piece about the Sea Watch project, I thought it apposite to briefly address the basis in law upon which the Sea Watch and other vessels sailing in the Mediterranean render assistance to those in distress at sea, and, more to the point, the migrants attempting the crossing between North…
30,000 migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean
In recent weeks over 30,000 migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Lampedusa, Italy. Of that number over 1200 deaths have been reported as a result of overcrowded vessels capsizing under the sheer weight of the passengers on board. Often fleeing persecution and conflict ridden environments, with the advent of fairer sea…
HRAS-SeaWatch Rescue Blog 