Ho Ho Holy Guacamole! Christmas is just around the corner. We’re not really into capitalism and its institutionalized, consumer-driven celebrations. But what we do believe in, and what our work stands for, is compassion, solidarity, love โ and the fact that all of these are gifts we can give each other.
You can find out what you should put under the tree for your loved ones this year further down. But first, let’s talk about our fifth rescue operation of 2025, in which our crew saved 31 people on the move in distress at sea from drowning.
We wish you a peaceful Advent season.
Love & Rage
Your Sea Punks
31 people on the move in distress at sea supported and disembarked safely in Lampedusa
They had already been adrift in the Mediterranean for four days, said the people aboard an unseaworthy inflatable boat, whom our crew finally located in the early hours of the morning after a night of resultless searching.
Sea Punk I had set out on its fifth mission in November. One day in the afternoon, our crew got notice from Alarm Phone about a rubber boat in distress with circa 30 people on board. At that time, the boat was in Tunisian waters and was having difficulty steering. Sea Punk I changed speed and course to head towards their last known position with the permission of the Tunisian authorities and our crew started the search.
Then night fell, and the rubber boat stopped communicating with Alarm Phone. We attempted to contact them by searchlight and sound signals, but with no feedback. Towards the late night we could not find them despite a firm lookout. But then, around 3 a.m. the people in distress boat called back Alarm Phone. With new information on our hands, we changed again the course and resumed the search, until finally, our crew got visual and spotted the meanwhile unseaworthy boat!
They launched RHIB Molly, distributed life jackets and embarked all the 31 people to Sea Punk I. Ten of those rescued were unaccompanied minors. We got assigned Lampedusa as a Port of Safety.
Youโll find a short video of this rescue here.
The Sea Punk I has meanwhile returned to port in Augusta. Due to the changing weather in recent days, with very high waves and storms, the crew could not return directly to the search and rescue area. Our small Sea Punk I is not designed for operations in such weather conditions. And the crew, which consists of many volunteers, is only ever crewed for one month at a time, meaning we cannot wait for the weather to change. By the time that happens, the timeframe for this rotation would have already expired. The crew now has their lives and jobs waiting for them back home. But for all of us, the fight for humanity and justice in the Mediterranean continues.
We say THANK YOU to our crew โ on the Sea Punk I and on land. And also to everyone who supports us financially, with their expertise, and with their organizational efforts!
Join us and become a Sea Punk I amboatsador:a. With a monthly donation of โฌ13.12 or more, you’ll help us plan for a continuous operation of our ship. If you’re already an amboatsador:a : THANK YOU! Perhaps you know someone in your network who could join. We have over 700 amboatsador:as โ we need 3,333 more to ensure the Sea Punk I can continue its regular deployments.
This Christmas: Give Solidarity & Humanity
Need a Christmas gift idea? Not in the mood for mindless consumerism and expensive presents just because it’s Christmas? How about this:
Give the gift of compassion, kindness, and solidarity.
PLACE OUR GIFT CARD UNDER SOMEONE’S TREE AND MAKE THEM A SUPPORTER.
A little tip: This gift is especially suitable for those family members who have racism issues. Give them our card and make them an active supporter of civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean.
You can have the printed card sent to your home until December 17th โ perfect for putting under the tree! If you’re running late, no problem, you can also order it online to print yourself at the last minute.
Rescuing people in distress at sea costs money. Not doing so costs lives. Your gift donation helps us to help refugees who are in distress at sea and to fight for a Europe of solidarity, where people don’t let other people drown!
Alerta, Alerta, Antifascista!
Last weekend, the AfD’s new youth organization was founded in Giessen. Our thanks and solidarity go out to everyone who was there to clearly oppose it, and to everyone else who, day in and day out, remains steadfast in so many ways, both large and small, and stands up against the rising tide of right-wing extremism.
The AfD is a party classified as right-wing extremist, whose sole aim is to destabilize our free and democratic order. Those who demonstrate against it are not radical; they are doing exactly what needs to be done: defending our democracy with democratic means.
With that in mind, we bid you farewell today with a heartfelt
Alerta, Alerta, Antifascista!
