A day of rescue in the Mediterranean
Action zones
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
International
The project
International solidaritySolidarity
SOS MÉDITERRANÉE is a European civil sea rescue association. It was created in spring 2015 thanks to the mobilization of citizens determined to act in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe of shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean.
40 915
peoplehave been rescued by SOS MEDITERANNÉE since 2016
24 000
eurosis the cost of a day's rescue at sea
29
%of survivors are minors
Solution
Based in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, its actions respond to a moral imperative and fall within a clear legal framework: the obligation to assist any person in distress at sea.
The association pursues three missions:
- SAVE lives at sea through search-and-rescue operations for boats in distress, in compliance with maritime and international law;
- PROTECT and CARE for those rescued through emergency care delivered on board, medical-psychological listening and support, as well as accompaniment to a safe place where their lives are no longer threatened and their basic needs can be met ;
- WITNESS the situation in the Mediterranean and raise awareness among the general public, institutions and governments of this humanitarian drama unfolding on Europe's doorstep.
The association pursues three missions:
- SAVE lives at sea through search-and-rescue operations for boats in distress, in compliance with maritime and international law;
- PROTECT and CARE for those rescued through emergency care delivered on board, medical-psychological listening and support, as well as accompaniment to a safe place where their lives are no longer threatened and their basic needs can be met ;
- WITNESS the situation in the Mediterranean and raise awareness among the general public, institutions and governments of this humanitarian drama unfolding on Europe's doorstep.
Thanks to the mobilization of citizens, the first boat was chartered in 2016 to respond to the humanitarian emergency. The Aquarius until 2018, then the Ocean Viking, are citizen boats financed 91% by private funds. On board, professional rescue sailors scan the sea and come to the rescue of the boats, often in difficult conditions. The refugees, 11% of whom are women and 30% minors, receive medical and psychological care until disembarkation in a safe port. SOS Méditerranée's action is always carried out in coordination with the maritime authorities and in strict compliance with international maritime rescue laws.
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Mobilizing in the face of indifference
Dear friends,
The whole team on board SOS MEDITERRANEE, at sea or on land, wishes you a very happy new year 2025 ✨
Thanks to the support of committed citizens, the Ocean Viking was, in 2024, a refuge for thousands of people fleeing desperate situations. Since the creation of SOS MEDITERRANEE, we have saved 41,383 lives at sea.
Each person saved is testimony to what humanity can achieve when it acts with compassion and determination. The Ocean Viking is the fruit of this collective commitment: a lifeboat, but also a symbol of solidarity in the face of indifference.
Your generosity enables these lives to continue their journey. Your commitment makes this mission a reality. We have demonstrated that it is possible to resist in the face of the unacceptable and offer a chance of survival to those who no longer have one.
In a few days, the Ocean Viking will be back at sea. We need your help to continue this vital mission. 💙
Thank you to all of you, dear donors, who support us year after year!
Can you see it?
"On the bridge, the mood is tense. The team, silent. I watch my colleagues: some scan the horizon with their binoculars, others make calls with their flashlights."
Lucille is in charge of communications on board the Ocean Viking. The moment she describes is essential to our mission: it's the binocular watch. To rescue people in distress at sea, our work begins long before we launch our lifeboats.
As soon as our ship arrives in the area of operations, crew members take turns scanning the horizon with binoculars from the deck. It's a crucial mission: a single dot, reflection or flash could be a boat in distress, carrying women, men and children in mortal danger.
This responsibility requires extreme concentration, taking place in one-hour slots per person. With a 15-kilometer field of vision, one comes to hope that the craft isn't blue, at the risk of it melting into the immensity of the sea.
In the dark, the search is even more difficult: "I remember a boat we found in the dark thanks to the flash of one of the survivors' cell phone", says Lucille.
When a boat is spotted, it's imperative not to lose sight of it. You then need to alert the relevant authorities and prepare for rescue. At sea, every moment of watchfulness is a race against time to save lives.
Thank you, dear donors, for your support and your precious donations!
Lucille is in charge of communications on board the Ocean Viking. The moment she describes is essential to our mission: it's the binocular watch. To rescue people in distress at sea, our work begins long before we launch our lifeboats.
As soon as our ship arrives in the area of operations, crew members take turns scanning the horizon with binoculars from the deck. It's a crucial mission: a single dot, reflection or flash could be a boat in distress, carrying women, men and children in mortal danger.
This responsibility requires extreme concentration, taking place in one-hour slots per person. With a 15-kilometer field of vision, one comes to hope that the craft isn't blue, at the risk of it melting into the immensity of the sea.
In the dark, the search is even more difficult: "I remember a boat we found in the dark thanks to the flash of one of the survivors' cell phone", says Lucille.
When a boat is spotted, it's imperative not to lose sight of it. You then need to alert the relevant authorities and prepare for rescue. At sea, every moment of watchfulness is a race against time to save lives.
Thank you, dear donors, for your support and your precious donations!
The money will be used for
SOS Méditerranée is dedicated to deploying professional rescue operations and employs professional maritime and medico-social teams both on board and ashore.
Donations will go towards the renewal of lifejackets (180€ for 5 lifejackets), the distribution of welcome kits on board (50€/kit), the on-board care for one person (100€/day) or the sharply rising cost of fuel.
Donations will go towards the renewal of lifejackets (180€ for 5 lifejackets), the distribution of welcome kits on board (50€/kit), the on-board care for one person (100€/day) or the sharply rising cost of fuel.
Thanks to your difts
158
days of food on board for a survivor
104 difts
Action zones
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
International
Why we love it?
We love this association, which has been fighting tirelessly since the 2015 migrant crisis, which had shaken us all, in order to preserve lives and limit the humanitarian catastrophe.
"Better to die at sea than be forced to return to Libya".
Dift gem2024 promotion
SOS Méditerranée is a certified association meeting these six criteria:
Financial stability
Innovation
Ambition
Governance
Transparency
Systemic impact
Sustainable development goals
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