SEA-EYE 4 starts Christmas mission with help from United4Rescue
Sea rescue alliance covers costs for fourth rescue mission
On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 11, 2021, the rescue ship SEA-EYE 4 set out on its fourth rescue mission. The departure was largely made possible by the sea rescue alliance United4Rescue, which is collecting donations under the keyword #ChristmasMission to be able to finance the mission of the Sea-Eye rescue ship. The SEA-EYE 4 is the second alliance ship of United4Rescue. The alliance had already contributed significantly to the purchase costs of the SEA-EYE 4 rescue ship.
“We are really very grateful to the alliance United4Rescue. It combines the forces of more than 800 organizations and now ensures that we are able to set off on our fourth mission,” says Gorden Isler, Chairman of Sea-Eye e. V.
“The fact that our alliance ship SEA-EYE 4 is now leaving for her Christmas mission and will save lives is good news! The fact that we as United4Rescue can make this mission possible thanks to countless donations also shows: There are very, very many people who do not agree with the European policy of isolation and do not want to be jointly responsible for the suffering and dying at the EU’s external borders,” says Liza Pflaum, board member of United4Rescue e. V.
The joint crews of the Regensburg-based sea rescuers of Sea-Eye e. V. and the Bonn-based aid organization German Doctors e. V. have already saved 1,194 lives in their three missions with the SEA-EYE 4. In the process, German Doctors e. V. substantially contributed to the construction and operation of the SEA-EYE 4’s onboard hospital. On the third rescue mission in November 2021, the crew came to the aid of 757 people after Malta refused to coordinate several maritime emergencies and rescue people from a wooden boat overloaded with 400 people.
“The EU is still doing too little to prevent deaths in the Mediterranean. Together with our partners, we will therefore continue to support the necessary, life-saving missions of the SEA-EYE 4 in the coming year,” said Dr. Harald Kischlat, board member of German Doctors e. V.
The SEA-EYE 4 will reach its area of operation before the 4th of Advent. The crew will continue to train for emergencies on the way there. The 25-member crew is expected to keep watch in the operational area on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
