Every person has the right to health and care.
Since 2016, our ships — the Aquarius and now the Ocean Viking — have patrolled International waters in search of boats in distress. Over the last nine years, we have rescued nearly 42,000 men, women, and children, bringing them to safety. Our ship functions much like an ambulance at sea, equipped to provide urgent medical care to those risking the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing.
The people we rescue leave their countries of origin for a number of reasons, both willingly and by force. Rescued from unseaworthy boats, each rescue is unique, intense, and risky. When people are brought safely onboard the Ocean Viking, they are in varying states of health and emotion–sometimes fearful, exhausted, overwhelmed, or relieved. Our priority is to address any medical emergencies before giving them the space to rest, recover, and regain a sense of stability.
Our onboard clinic is more than just a place for medical treatment—it is a refuge where people can find privacy, speak to someone, and be treated with humanity.
To learn more about the medical and health challenges faced by those rescued in the Central Mediterranean and how the medical team on board responds, read our newest report, Treated With Humanity.