Aita Mari
The Aita Mari is a ship of the Maydayterraneo(sic) maritime rescue project,[1] launched by Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (SMH, Humanitarian Maritime Rescue) in 2017, in view of the European migrant crisis in the Central Mediterranean. SMH, a non-governmental organization, refurbished the Stella Maris Beria[2] (an old tuna fishing boat) to rescue people from the waters of the Mediterranean.[3]
The project has saved the lives of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean,[4] as well as the lives of some fishermen. Sometimes it did so despite clashes with governments.[5][6]
The ship was named after a sailor from Zumaia, Aita Mari[7] (1809–1866) who is particularly celebrated for the rescue of 3 sailors from the boat San Jose in 1861, and who died at sea in another attempted rescue.[8]
The ship was built in 2002; it is 32 meters long with a gross tonnage of 161 tons.[9][10]
Example rescues
[edit]In February 2021 the ship rescued 102 persons from a boat near Malta. A further 46 from a second vessel heading towards Europe could not be embarked, but were provided with assistance.[11]
In July 2024, during what was described as its thirteenth mission, the Aita Mari rescued 34 people.[12]
The ship and its work can be followed on the Vessel Tracker website.[10]
Aita Mari documentary
[edit]Filmmaker and photographer Javi Julio went to the Greek island of Lesbos in 2019 with members of SMH. He produced the documentary Aita Mari with his photographs. The project took two years to make, and the video premiered on 28 April 2021 at the San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival.[13][2]
See also
[edit]- List of migrant vessel incidents on the Mediterranean Sea
- List of ships for the rescue of refugees in the Mediterranean Sea
- Timeline of the European migrant crisis
- Mediterranean Sea refugee smuggling
- Hellenic Rescue Team
- Iuventa
- Proactiva Open Arms
- SOS Méditerranée
References
[edit]- ^ "Maydayterraneo Project "Aita Mari Rescue Ship"". www.smh.eus. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Catalogue: Giza Eskubideen Zinemaldiafestival de Cine y Derechos Humanoshuman Rights Film Festival" ["Catalogue: Giza Eskubideen Zinemaldia Film Festival and Human Rights Human Rights Film Festival"] (PDF). www.zinemaetagizaeskubideak.eus. p. 19. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "'Aita Mari' ontzia Mediterraneora abiatu da, «giza eskubideak defendatzera»" [The ship 'Aita Mari' goes to the Mediterranean to "defend human rights"]. www.berria.eus. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "'Aita Mari' ontziko 78 migratzaileak iritsi dira Pozzalloko portura" [78 migrants on board the Aita Mari have arrived at the port of Pozzallo]. www.berria.eus. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Aita Mari Gaur Goizean Itzuli da Pasaiara Italiako Gobernuak Jarritako Baldintzapean" [Father Mari returns to Pasaia this morning under the Conditions set by the Italian Government]. gipuzkoasolidarioa.wpcomstaging.com. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "On Board the Aita Mari". Euro News. 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Etor zaitez "Aita Mari" itsasontzira, bizitzak Libiako kostaldean salbatzen dituena" [Come aboard the "Aita Mari" ship, which saves lives on the Libyan coast]. www.ehu.eus. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "José María Zubia. "Aita Mari"". www.zumalakarregimuseoa.eus. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Aita Mari". Baltic Shipping.
- ^ a b "Aita Mari". Vessel Tracker.
- ^ Cowles, Ben (19 February 2021). "NGO refugee rescue ship left waiting on European help that never came". Morning Star. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "El Aita Mari, el viejo atunero reconvertido en barco de rescate de inmigrantes" [The Aita Mari, the old tuna boat converted into an immigrant rescue ship]. Vozpópuli (in Spanish). 2024-07-16. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "«Ezin daiteke normalizatu jendea itsasoan hiltzen ikustea»" [It can't be normal to see people die at sea]. www.berria.eus. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
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