Hello.
The Sea Punk I is back on rotation in the Mediterranean sea for a few days now, looking for people in distress at sea in order to help where help is needed. During a rescue in the early hours of Sunday morning, 17 people were able to leave our ship alive. They are now in Italy. Help came too late for two small children. You can find out exactly what happened below. Here’s a trigger warning: we will have to talk about death by drowning.
We know well that the attempt to escape across the Mediterranean ends fatally for many. We’ve been dealing with this reality every day for years. But when your own crew experiences it for themselves, when you are in contact with relatives and know the stories behind the death numbers, it hits differently. Also for us. Therefore, only read the following if you feel ready for it.
We thank you for your attention and support. In total, the Sea Punk I has supported more than 250 people in distress at sea in the last few days. In sadness, anger and endless solidarity: your Sea Punks!
Sea Punk I in action: 2 dead. 58 survivors.
Our crew has been back in action with the Sea Punk I for a few days now. And was able to support 41 people in the first rescue. A day later, while searching for a reported distress case, the crew heard cries for help at approximately 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 26, in the exact location where they were searching for the reported case. When we took a closer look, our crew was presented with images that one would always hope to never have to witness: desperate people overboard in the water!
In the immediate vicinity of the Sea Punk I, in front of the bow, were several groups that had fallen overboard, floating in the sea without life support equipment and fighting for their survival. The crew responded immediately. What was also extremely critical was that the groups of people were floating in the water on both sides of the Sea Punk I and drifting apart. All available rescue equipment was used to save as many people as possible.
In total, the crew was able to rescue 18 people from the water alive. Help came too late for a 3-year-old child; he was already dead. Those rescued reported to the crew that they had originally started their journey with 21 people and that some people had drowned before their eyes.
Medical emergencies required helicopter rescue
The majority of the survivors showed signs of severe hypothermia, and the crew immediately provided help. A medical evacuation was requested immediately. Meanwhile, the medical team performed resuscitation measures on two children. One of the children was resuscitated before a Maltese rescue helicopter arrived. There was nothing we could do for a 2-year-old child; it passed away on board.
We don’t even know their names
What this group of people went through in their attempt to escape is unimaginable torment and suffering. 17 people left the Sea Punk I alive. Except for one man from Cameroon, they came from Nigeria. There was also a couple among the survivors. They fled with their three children. They have now lost all three children. One is missing. One could only be recovered from the sea dead. The third died during resuscitation efforts on board.
Rest in power
Our hearts are heavy. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. May they rest in power.
Our thoughts are also with our crew. Under extreme conditions and great effort, they managed to support numerous people and enable them to survive this. But they were also directly confronted with the death of two children. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of our crew and that they were on site and were able to prevent an even greater disaster. It still remains absolutely heartbreaking. Lots of love and solidarity goes to the ship!
EU border policy kills
We mourn. People would not have to die like this, if the EU was acting differently. We denounce this deadly ignorance that has cost the lives of two small children.
Europe’s politics not only isolates, it kills. According to official estimates, 2,280 people died while fleeing across the Mediterranean in 2024. The number of unreported cases is significantly higher. This time we experienced particularly closely that behind these astronomical numbers there are people with wishes and hopes for a better life, people who put everything at risk and often lose everything.
Next rotation
The crew did not have time to rest. The next rescue took place yesterday. The Sea Punk I, in collaboration with the ship Ocean Viking belonging to the NGO SOS Mediterranné, supported a further 200 people in distress at sea. You can find more information about our mission over the course of the days on Instagram, our website and later in the rotation report.
No sea rescue without your support
Your donation will save lives. Help us to help. Become an amboatsador of the Sea Punk I and secure the monthly costs of €41,666 for our ship operation with a monthly donation of €13.12 or more. All amboatsadors will be written with their first names on our Wall of Fame on the Sea Punk I!