Help Amber Rescue Refugees At Sea This Christmas

WHO AM I

Hi, my name is Amber Sheasgreen, and I volunteer for Marine Search & Rescue along the coast of BC. I have 10 years experience in Marine SAR and running RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats), with 6 of those years as Coxswain (captain and team leader). Helping people in need has always been a passion of mine, and this Holiday Season, instead of spending time with family and friends, I will be volunteering my time and skills to help rescue those refugees attempting the perilous migratory crossing of the Central Mediterranean.

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING

In an effort to flee war, violence, poverty and famine in their own countries, these people are leaving what's left of their homes and everything they know behind. With only the clothes on their back, they risk their lives in un-sea worthy vessels and precarious conditions in hopes of a safer life. NGOs like Refugee Rescue (who I will be volunteering with), and Sea-Eye are patrolling the Central Mediterranean to assist people and vessels in distress as they attempt this risky crossing. Many boats are found overloaded, taking on water, with pregnant women and children on board, and people who suffer from dehydration or other injuries and maladies. Once safely in port in a European country, the migrants are able to claim asylum and start the process of seeking refugee status and assistance. Unfortunately, those that are rescued on the Libyan side, are sent back to their country and often face further violence, persecution, or worse.

 

At least 1,029 people have died or gone missing in the Central Mediterranean route in 2021, the deadliest migratory route in the world. That's four times more than this time last year.

 

WHERE AND WHY ME

Refugee Rescue has partnered with Sea-Eye to work together to help rescue those refugees adrift at sea in acute danger. It takes a team of highly skilled personnel in various roles to make these missions possible, including finding volunteers who are not only available (a 6-8 week commitment) and willing to help, but also experienced, ticketed, and able to safely lead a team into a SAR operation. This is where I can help.

 

I will be using my Christmas holidays and taking an additional unpaid leave of absence from work to volunteer as a SAR coordinator. Starting December 6th 2021, Sea-Eye 4 (the main ship) will depart port from Burianna Spain for the Central Mediterranean and I will spend 6-8 weeks training and leading one of the search & rescue RHIB crews in the critical mission of saving lives at sea. The funds raised over the next few weeks will go towards my travel, accommodation, food, and insurance costs to meet up with the team of volunteers from Refugee Rescue and Sea-Eye currently operating off the coast between Sicily and Libya.

 

October's mission is still underway, with over 1200 people rescued so far. Most recently six rescues were completed in less than 48 hours, followed shortly by a seventh with 400 people discovered on board a single vessel taking on water. Without these organizations and skilled volunteers, it is very likely these people would have perished at sea.

 

You can follow live updates of current missions and our progress in December at https://www.facebook.com/seaeyeorg/ or https://www.facebook.com/RefugeeRescueCrew.

 

HOW TO HELP

People in these dangerous situations have no choice on how they get to safety, they should not be left to drown. I don't have the funds to donate to such an important cause, but I DO have the skills and the time to help.

 

Qualified and available volunteers are hard to come by, especially amidst a pandemic. Please donate today to help get me to the SAR zone in the Central Mediterranean, rescue those in distress, and save innocent lives. Any extra funds raised will be donated to Refugee Rescue to support future missions. Your donation will make a difference and save lives.