The last week was long and a bit nerve-wracking for our crew. Several times we were searching for distress cases whose GPS coordinates we were able to pick up via radio. But even with the coordinates of a boat’s last known position, it can be very difficult to actually find the boat in distress on the open water: Often we don’t know if the outboard is still working, that means, if the boat is making way through the water or drifting in the waves, or what course it is steering.  

Unfortunately, we have learned that some of the boats we were searching for were found and pullbacked by the so-called Libyan coast guard. Others were fortunately rescued by the NGO Solidaire.

Now our crew is starting the follow-up to the deployment, for which we are taking a few days. The Trotamar III has to be cleaned up and prepared for the next deployment. The crew members discuss the deployment and undergo a psychological debriefing under professional supervision. In mid-October, we will then start the next deployment, sailing against Fortress Europe.