No sooner has our crew arrived in the search and rescue zones than everything happens very quickly: from the deck of the Trotamar III, we spot a boat on the horizon through our binoculars. It quickly becomes clear that it is a small wooden escape boat with 19 people on board.
We distribute life jackets to everyone and accompany the boat, whose outboard motor is still working. However, we are concerned about night falling: in the dark, we could quickly lose sight of the unlit boat. The boat is overcrowded and unstable and could capsize at any moment.
We wait in vain for a rescue boat from the authorities, whom we have informed of the distress case. Shortly before nightfall, the crew has no other choice: we take all the people on board.
Today, in the middle of the night, all the people are finally able to set foot on European soil in Lampedusa.