Open Arms (watercraft) explained

Open Arms is a Mediterranean rescue vessel operated by the Proactiva Open Arms NGO. Before 2018, it was named Ibaizabal Tres.[1]

Operations

In November 2018, a joint campaign was launched by Proactive Open Arms, SOS Méditerranée and Sea-Watch, which used Open Arms, Mare Jonio and Sea-Watch 3, along with the Moonbird aircraft, to continue with the rescue of refugees in the Mediterranean. This followed after a few weeks during which the states had prevented them from acting in various ways.[2]

In August 2019, while the boat was off Lampedusa and prevented from entering port for a period that eventually extended to 19 days, the actor Richard Gere arranged delivery of supplies and went aboard to distribute them to the refugees.[3]

During the course of 2019, the vessel rescued a total of 324 people from the sea.

In November 2020, Open Arms rescued 250 people in one week.[4]

On 5 October 2023, the ship was confiscated by Italian Authorities, after rescuing 176 people from three vessels in distress on 30 September 2023, in violation of rules demanding immediate return to port after each individual rescue.[5]

2024 Gaza maritime corridor

The ship began delivering food to the Gaza Strip in March 2024 via a maritime corridor negotiated by the Cypriot government.[6] [7] The loaded barge contained at once around 200 tons of food.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

References

  1. Web site: IBAIZABAL TRES Tug (MMSI: 7325887) . www.vesseltracker.com . 28 May 2021.
  2. Web site: El «Open Arms vuelve al Mediterráneo a rescatar inmigrantes» . es . elperiodico . 2018-11-23 . 10 January 2023.
  3. News: 'It was mind-boggling': Richard Gere on the rescue boat at the heart of Salvini trial . Lorenzo Tondo . The Guardian . 19 November 2021 . 28 March 2023.
  4. Web site: Open Arms refugee rescue ship saves 250 people in the last week . 12 November 2020 . www.catalannews.com . 28 March 2023.
  5. Web site: Italy impounds migrant charity ship after multiple rescues . 5 October 2023 . 6 October 2023 . Reuters.
  6. Web site: 2024-02-20 . Joint humanitarian initiative by Open Arms and World Central Kitchen . 2024-03-12 . Open Arms . en.
  7. News: 2023-12-05 . Cyprus pushes Gaza corridor idea; leader to visit Egypt, Jordan . 2024-03-12 . Reuters.
  8. News: 10 March 2024 . US military ship heading to Gaza to build port . www.bbc.com . 10 March 2024.
  9. Web site: Birchard . Rosie . 2024-03-11 . Aid ship waits to set sail from Cyprus to Gaza . 2024-03-12 . Deutsche Welle . en.
  10. Web site: 2024-03-11 . Leading aid delivery in Gaza by sea, air, and land . 2024-03-12 . World Central Kitchen . en-us.
  11. Web site: 2024-03-12 . WCK aid sets sail for Gaza . 2024-03-12 . World Central Kitchen . en.
  12. News: Gaza aid reaches shore in first sea delivery . www.bbc.com . 16 March 2024 . 15 March 2024.

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