Mohammad, a young Syrian man of 24, climbs the steps of the ship. After the first few paces on deck, he breathes a sigh of relief. Then he looks up at the sky and smiles. After seven hours in the open sea, he is safe. We are on board the Life Support, the Italian humanitarian agency Emergency's boat in the central Mediterranean.
Life Support is a repurposed supply vessel, refitted for search and rescue operations in the perilous water crossings between northern Africa and Europe.
It can transport up to 175 people in addition to its international crew of 28, which includes a doctor and two nurses, squads to operate inflatable rescue boats, cultural mediators, logistics experts and mariners, all under the command of ship's master Domenico Pugliese.
Emergency launched Life Support in 2022. The non-government organisation had provided onshore support to the shipwrecked for many years as part of its remit, but decided it might do better to help at sea.
"We have always worked in difficult conditions, in favour of the victims of war and poverty," says Alessandro Bertani, Emergency's vice-president. "With Life Support, we continue this work at sea, because those we save are desperately looking for a chance to survive rather than to live better."
On quiet days, the crew practise rescue simulations, ready for any eventuality in any sea conditions, in the dark or in broad daylight.
Today, Life Support is sailing through increasingly rough seas in the Maltese search and rescue zone.
"From now on, we must be ready for anything and keep our radios on at a high volume," urges Ani Montes Mier, the search and rescue co-ordination manager.
A few hours later, she summons the crew a mayday relay has been received from Frontex, the European Union's border and coastguard agency. About 40 people have been spotted on a gas platform in Tunisia's Miskar gas field.
Esta historia es de la edición July 6-12 2024 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 6-12 2024 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
