The aircrew of the civil search and rescue NGO Sea-watch e.V. prepares their aircraft "Seabird" for the next monitoring mission. Starting from the Italian island Lampedusa they are flying search patterns over the Mediterranean sea to find and provide assistance for the rescue of migrant boats in distress.
During the monitoring mission the crew members use binoculars to identify objects in the water. Spotting can get very difficult when there is haze in the air. Also in rough seas the whitecaps of breaking waves can easily be confused with potential targets. In case of doubt the aircraft will descend and get closer to clarify the nature of a potential target.
Shortly upon entering the Maltese SAR zone, the crew spots a small wooden migrant boat in distress approximately 50 nautical miles from the coast of Lampedusa. It's the 60th distress case of the year. The boat is in immediate danger of capsizing due to high waves.
Far inside the Maltese SAR zone, the so-called Libyan coast guard finally gives up and leaves the scene.
The aircrew contacts the nearby merchant vessel "Asalet" which can be persuaded to change its course towards the distress case.
Hectic communication among the aircrew members as dramatic scenes unfold in front of their eyes.
The so-called Libyan coast guard suddenly approaches the scene and intimidates the NGO Open Arms which has launched two of their rescue assets to reach the distress case before nightfall.
An unbelievable race including confrontations, intimidations and several blocking maneuvers by the so-called Libyan coast guard against the small RHIBs of the NGO Open Arms is taking place right in front of the eyes of the aircrew.
As night falls the aircrew tries to find the adrift distress case one last time. They submit the coordinates to the NGO Open Arms, in hope their rescue assets will be able to find the case during the night.
During the flight back to Lampedusa the tactical coordinator of the aircrew bursts into tears after receiving the information that the boat in distress has finally been found and rescued by the rescue assets of Open Arms.
