Sea-Eye e. V. rescues people on the move from unseaworthy boats in the Mediterranean. We search for people in distress and fight to prevent death at sea. Our actions are a response to the failed migration policy of the European Union, which refuses to accept responsibility for the thousands of deaths at its external borders.
Learn more about Sea-Eye
Our work
We are Sea-Eye. For over ten years, we have been searching for people in distress on the world’s deadliest migration route and fighting to prevent deaths in the Mediterranean. Our actions are a response to the failed migration policy of the European Union, which refuses to accept responsibility for the thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean.
In 2015, thousands of people fled across the Mediterranean. Many died attempting to escape war, violence, and hunger. In response to these inconceivable events, a group led by Michael Buschheuer came together in Regensburg in the autumn of 2015, unwilling to stand by and watch the dying in the Mediterranean. They founded the association Sea-Eye e.V., which, according to its statutes, pursues the following organizational purposes:
- We operate a vessel with which we conduct search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean
- We train rescue personnel and conduct training sessions to prepare crew members for deployment on board our vessel
- We carry out campaigns and actions as well as general press and public relations work to inform people about migration as well as relevant human rights issues in this context, to call for action, and to advocate for the protection of human rights
Sea-Eye e. V. today
Since we began operations in 2016, we have completed hundreds of rotations in the central Mediterranean with the vessels SEA-EYE, SEEFUCHS, ALAN KURDI, SEA-EYE 4, and our current vessel, the SEA-EYE 5. Over 18,000 lives have been saved and brought to a place of safety.
Sea-Eye is not only active on the water. With over 700 members, over 1,000 volunteer crew members on rescue rotations, around 40 permanent employees, 30 local groups, and strong partners, as well as many thousands of supporters in civil society, we advocate for a migration policy based on solidarity, so that in the future, people no longer have to expose themselves to this life-threatening danger.
Sea-Eye as an employer
Sea-Eye offers its employees flexible working, family-friendliness, a professional development budget, and many other benefits.
We are looking for dedicated individuals who share our values and want to take on responsibility – on land and at sea. If you identify with our work, we look forward to receiving your application.
Our work in pictures
An association for the rescue of people on the move in the central Mediterranean
Our partners
Become a partner of Sea-Eye!
Would you like to actively support civil sea rescue and become part of our network? Then please get in touch with us! As a partner, you send a strong signal for humanity – and your logo will find its place here alongside all those who stand with us for safe escape routes.
