Lifesavers on the Mediterranean | DW Documentary

The Sea Punk I rescue ship is embarking on its first Mediterranean mission. The crew has only just completed its lifesaving training. It’s about to be put to the test - the task is to save refugees from drowning.
Gerson Reschke registered the Sea Punks society with like-minded people in 2020. The plan was to launch a fundraising campaign, buy a ship and use it to rescue refugees. The group couldn’t stand by any longer and watch as refugees continued to drown. The Mediterranean Sea is still the world’s deadliest border. Over 3,000 people died trying to cross it in 2023, hoping to escape conflict and persecution in their home countries.
The film follows Sea Punks from the purchase and conversion of a new ship, to the group’s first rescue operation. Law student Anouck Soubeyran, 25, is a member of the international crew. It’s the Frenchwoman's first mission. Her task is to coordinate the rescue from a distance, in a dinghy. Kristina Hilz (28), a trainee doctor from Schleswig-Holstein, is also on board as a volunteer. She is responsible for the medical care of weak or injured refugees. The volunteer crew knows what could await them at sea. They are aware of the potential psychological strain. Their ship can hold up to 100 people, but no one knows what condition the refugees will be in when they’re found.
After ten days of training, the team of 13 sets off from Spain for the Tunisian coast. They soon discover a boat carrying over 40 people from Benin in West Africa. The occupants have been at sea for three days, without food, drink or shelter from the sun. Some of the children are in critical condition. The rescue crew, still inexperienced, needs to get everything right.
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[@nickkoss9384]

You want to "go and help"? . Go to their country and help them.

[@ilovecamels4889]

Absolutely. With the money for the boat could have set up a factory of some sort and given long term employment to a lot of people. What they need is opportunities in their own countries. You cannot just bring in everyone in the world who is facing difficulties. The ones trying to enter illegally have to be returned 100 % without a single exception else this will never stop

[@johndoe-tk6en]

Exactly! I've never understood the current way of dealing with illigal immigrants. It's insane. Majority of the people do not want it this way. Yet "democratic" leaders do it like this. Why? Because of European politicians who are so rich that they just don't care about it. They are living their castles far away from the problems they inflict.

[@artman12]

If only Europe would return the money stolen from their ancestors

[@johndoe-tk6en]

@@artman12 europe is a wide area. Many European countries never colonised other countries... Hard to say countries because there were no countries. People and land is more correct. Being stuck in the past does not help to go forward...

[@Msambweni]

@@johndoe-tk6enthe past is the reason the situation is this way. Unless the root cause is addressed there is no way forward. Nice try on the mental gymnastics.

[@paradiselost1348]

The road to hell, is paved with good intentions.

[@ilovecamels4889]

Or as they say “with good intentions” is the opposite of good.

[@goldieandblackie]

And what happens when millions start travelling to Europe by boat.

[@davechristian7543]

pmsl.

[@holasusana4611]

All they do is encourage more and more people to risk their lives to make it to the other side.

[@itsoccamsrazor]

⬆️ this

[@tomsbeingtheleo]

It’s the only way for the migrants to come there. They could come by plane if only the passports of their countries of origin were worth something…

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@itsoccamsrazor That is just a nonsense claim. These people will risk it regardless of these NGO being there or not. Very few might bail just because they thought the route was more risky without the NGO. Total lives lost is obviously smaller when they are there.

[@jamescagney1965]

@@cyberfunk3793 Those "refugees" aren't actually trying to make it to europe outright. They are trying to make it into international waters to be picked up by those NGO clowns to get a ride the rest of the way there.

[@ilovecamels4889]

Totally agree. They need to make sure that every single person coming by these illegal ways is turned back to Where they come from. Else this will never stop.

[@IpissedonIsabella]

Make sure you take them back to their country of origin after you save them and charge that country for saving them

[@jonas7510]

if only it was that simple . in political terms , i can think of some ... conservative people i respect . but what are we supposed to do ?

[@user-ox2ti7hz3h]

No one choses their homeland. I wonder if u wer one of these unlucky ones what will you. Hahah i could only imagine

[@TranNguyenVungLay]

We think that only poor people escape and forget their homeland to settle in another country because of poverty, because of career, because of self-employment, because of democracy, because of oppressive religion, because of sexism, because of the harsh weather "dogs eat stone chickens eat soil" cannot grow anything for the life of living creatures, and for other reasons...etc. But there is a strange story, even rich people migrate to protect their business assets, to avoid taxes, because they do not like paying high taxes...etc. Read the CNBC : The rich are getting second passports, citing risk of instability by Robert Frank, April 10, 2024. Please read how the concern of the rich migrate to the third and fourth second country. Two concerns of different classes of migrant people : A old man say, "Each plant has different flowers, each house has different circumstances". The issue of migration is not a new thing, but it has existed since there were creatures, from reptiles, from two-legged and four-legged species, on this Earth. Who dares to brag that my ancestors never left their homeland ? Every time I read unconscious criticism about legal or illegal immigration, it seems like I step on dog shit and curse : "bullshit !".

[@AlbertNTipster]

Maybe if we didn't exploit their countries for our own good, just maybe, they wouldn't have the need to come to us?

[@zen1647]

​@@jonas7510In Australia we settle genuine refugees (not economic migrants) that enter illegally in third countries. That means that we can bring in genuine refugees that have had their claim established outside Australia instead of the queue jumpers with questionable refugee claims.

[@jacques.cousteau]

Why does dw promote ong human trafficking? It's honestly disgusting...

[@Bushings.78]

Because them can. Dw don’t care about this people

[@privacyvalued4134]

The military organization known as a Coast Guard exists for a reason. Coasties, regardless of nationality, are some of the most fit and strong people on Earth with extensive training in SAR operations. They also have dedicated and highly specialized rescue ships, helicopters, massive support systems, and taxpayer money backing them. This documentary shows the hazards of the open water and rescues, which these people were not prepared to handle. It's actually a miracle that they survived their first "mission" ... but is something that Coast Guards do daily without incident. That's the difference between trained professionals and people who are most likely going to wind up sinking themselves.

[@JusticeAlways]

It's the Coast Guard's primary goal to save lives...that is all you really needed to say.

[@taylorlibby7642]

Politically motivated and practically naive "activists" with absolutely no relevant experience are quickly given minimal training to engage in high stakes rescues on the open seas in an area proven to be deadly dangerous. What could possibly go wrong? (BTW - l'm a retired USCG NCO with a couple of decades of open water search and rescue training and experience.)

[@Mein_mann]

No one cares lol

[@taylorlibby7642]

@@Mein_mann lol About your opinions? Nope. lol

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@taylorlibby7642 Did anyone expect nothing could go wrong? Your point is that nobody should be there unless they have 20 years of experience? If so, they are adults so capable of making their own life choices without you.

[@taylorlibby7642]

@@cyberfunk3793Just like I'm free to criticize those foolish choices without you, right? That's how freedom of speech works. Weird that you'd have such a problem with that. And my point is that amatuers, even well meaning amatuers with the best of intentions, attempting dangerous actions far outside of the scope of their experience or training inevitably place many lives at risk (their own/the migrants/the professionals who will have to risk their lives to recue them both when something inevitably goes wrong/etc/etc) because they simply don't even know what they don't know.

[@bryanc8861]

Thank you for your service (Search and Rescue don't get enough appreciation)

[@EdujinamGodwin]

May your days be increase for the human life you have been saving 🙏

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

Most of them look like strong ,young men..... Trouble for the host countries........

[@chownful]

Why? The host countries are seriously lacking in strong, young men...they should have learned how to raise strong, young men instead of what they have now...

[@tomsbeingtheleo]

⁠So you are fine if only the young people you consider worthy of emigrating based on their skin color (let me guess, they have to be fair skinned) actually go abroad, leaving their families behind since the other members might not be able to make it through. What a pinnacle of enlightenment and humanity we have here!

[@jamescagney1965]

That's generally how it ends up. Look at the unemployments rates or the crime rates for African and Middle Eastern refugees in any european country. If such statistics are even available anymore.

[@gambiahuey0079]

In my eyes these are just helping the criminal gangs

[@ianmuir3640]

Maybe if you didn’t go out and save them they would think twice before coming

[@paulketterer1748]

Humanity needs Actions - not Politics ! Brave Volunteers in the Graveyard of the European Development Policy for Africa

[@SpamMouse]

Simply not wanted in Europe.

[@davechristian7543]

Wish i could flee like this from Australia but its just to far sadly so im stuck to live like this.

[@dennislosee]

Right, I can’t leave America no where else will let me take my toys…

[@sforza209]

If everyone in the world had access to “free Europe” Europe and all its freedoms would cease to exist. Europe is what it is because all the hard work Europeans have done in the past to make it what it is today.

[@patrickhenry6695]

Human trafficking

[@mustukulteddy6145]

Illegal human trafficking. 😡

[@DjHazardous]

2:33 *What is that track I keep hearing it around on KZbin videos but have no clue*

[@airatganeev3627]

Home - Resonance.

[@JP-oe4ry]

Volunteers? they should be prosecuted

[@ilovecamels4889]

I am surprised as well that this is even allowed. Not saying they don’t have good intentions but this approach is sooo misguided

[@tkautzor]

​@@ilovecamels4889 the Socialist government in Spain is encouraging the invasion

[@hightower6645]

It's so wonderful to see them all doing God's work as one human race!! 🙏🏼🙏🏾🙏🙏🏻

[@jithutjohnny4013]

Would love to have English subtitles from DW.

[@user-rr8jv7rp4r]

Blind leading the blind....

[@ivan55599]

l came here just to read comments.

[@exodus888]

who will pay for da refugees?

[@matthewslatter8791]

Exactly and the crimes 🎉

[@bentaylor496]

We all will and what's more we don't have a say in it. We are ignored

[@itsoccamsrazor]

You will through taxes and blood

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

the colonist whytes

[@IbrahimAhmed-pv3to]

All Africa money is in Europe thee occupied Africa and steels it’s gold and make people poor and in ill Then you now complains about them 😮

[@billchristianson3451]

Lifetakers on the Mediterranean a DW documentary

[@jackjackthompson5771]

I commend them for doing this. They don’t control all the politics, nice effort.

[@ModAMPM]

By trying to do good during one specific event, they ignore the long road before and after that. What is the effect of migration on Africa? On Europe? You can't just ignore all that because you want to feel good about saving people on the Mediterranean.

[@ilovecamels4889]

Absolutely right. Cannot just bring in everyone from across the world who faces difficulties. Africa needs to be helped to develop in ways so her people can have opportunities in their own countries. This illegal flooding into be it Europe be it the US has to stop it causes issues on both ends hence why there is a legal framework in place that manages the inflow. Just crossing seas like this has to be stopped for good. Only if 100 % are returned back will they finally stop trying. As long as some make the journey and are allowed to stay it will continue to go on.

[@johndoe-tk6en]

🫡

[@timeforgottentales]

Which part of Africa? 30 odd countries of which the vast majority of its people choose to stay in their own countries. How to say I know F'all about Africa without saying anything at all.

[@mrajsma01]

Some really good intentions here, as well as exhibitions of naivety and a saviour complex. How has it happened that Europe needs to be the problem solver for countries thousands of kilometers away, when we have so many issues to tackle internally.

[@ericanthony2852]

For some reasons, it seems illegal refugees favors European law makers. The lawmakers could combat it by amending the law but they have repeatedly failed to criminalize the process of illegal immigration.

[@tophlaw4274]

it's definitely a commendable humanitarian effort though the stark reality is that the refugees will be mouths to feed that will end up being the burden of the Italian government & its people while they are being processed (not to mention having personnel on site & elsewhere that need to evaluate their asylum claims including security) ~so the frustrations of the affected locals are understandable. 👉so it's a slippery slope unless they secure funding or even a program that will allow them to be partially self-sufficient...

[@bavery6957]

"Let them drown and die!" There - spelled it out for you naysayers. You KNOW that's what is in your hearts. You just don't have the courage to post it, or say it out loud. Fixed it for ya...

[@nickkoss9384]

Human trafficking, fool is the one who think otherwise.

[@dennislosee]

Hippie’s unleashed…

[@rolloakagaryr1527]

Supporting the loss of life

[@TheStockwell]

By training to rescue people? You're right! These so-called rescuers are little more than high seas murderers! 😂

[@rolloakagaryr1527]

@@TheStockwell Who are then allowed to roam europe mudering others many of which are paying for them to come to europe

[@cyberfunk3793]

One has to be braindead to think these NGO cause more losses than saved lives. Refugees are coming no matter who is there to help and they have saved something like 45k in the past 10 years.

[@dionysise5008]

Traitors should be in jail along with illegal Muslims

[@ilovecamels4889]

Why only muslims. With illegals of every background and religion.

[@Tboe905]

Great work! bravo!

[@TheAlchemistZero1]

Poverty is the mother of necessity; the comfort of the rich, depends upon an abundant supply of the poor. The Illusion of Agency: Why would randomness produce Logic? A singular Universe formed logically from illogical Nothingness? Never conflate freedoms within a construct for free-will. In the video game Tetris players have freedom to manipulate shapes within allotted parameters. The player does not have agency to change the mechanisms within the game construct; one cannot transform into Master Chief and play Halo from within Tetris. Within our Universe, Nature has permitted freedoms within our predefined construct, not Agency. One cannot imagine themselves transforming into a literal Superman, and actually becoming one. The game designer sets the rules and functions, not the players. Starship Determinism (a hypothetical scenario): As an act of desperation Earth develops a starship capable of reaching the nearest habitable world beyond our solar system. Without light-speed travel capabilities, the journey will require 700 years before their destination is reached by the crew. From the initial several hundred crew members; generations will be born into and die aboard Starship Determinism. Considering conditions aboard such a limited space, with finite offerings, both in terms of occupations and personal options (food, sex, shelter, recreation) - how much 'free will' can be exercised by those generations born into their limited paradigm? How many subsequent generations after the initial crew would have opted for life within a cramped vessel? Earth is a deterministic cosmic vessel, following a predetermined trajectory through space - except on a significantly larger scale. the Alchemist -Ø1

[@Johnbinsky]

To the humanity 💫

[@MihaiOprean]

STOP HUFFING PAINT !!!

[@ph00z00]

modern day slavery

[@reginaregina2494]

I’m constantly seeing refugees on Tik Tok posting from the boats, excited that they’re being picked up, it’s a taxi at this point and not “life savers” 😂 you are just taking them to their destination.

[@Enhancedlies]

YOU ARE THE PROBLEM

[@HeavyDwarf]

why?

[@speicherkanal4894]

Disgusting propaganda…

[@HeavyDwarf]

for what?! for god sakes...

[@jacques.cousteau]

​@@HeavyDwarf for immigration

[@miapdx503]

God bless these brave souls! They value human life. That is a sign of good character. 🌹

[@levystein666]

HIAS jewish NGO

[@Nicolas-uu3jr]

gfus

[@shannonluck5066]

You're doing great humanitarian work! Thank You for your service. ❤

[@zen1647]

No, they're wasting resources on a vanity hero project. That money could be better used addressing the cause of the problems.

[@ilovecamels4889]

@@zen1647 exactly

[@johndoe-tk6en]

​@@zen1647that's spoken truth.

[@miapdx503]

Wow, so many hateful comments! People who would see other, desperate people drown and die...what if it was you? I know, you think yourself better than others. The Bible speaks on this and it is *not* a Christian value. You cannot claim to love Christ and harbor hatred in your heart.

[@scottwebb4722]

then don't go there, then they can drown with no one watching

[@TranNguyenVungLay]

We think that only poor people escape and forget their homeland to settle in another country because of poverty, because of career, because of self-employment, because of democracy, because of oppressive religion, because of sexism, because of the harsh weather "dogs eat stone chickens eat soil" cannot grow anything for the life of living creatures, and for other reasons...etc. But there is a strange story, even rich people migrate to protect their business assets, to avoid taxes, because they do not like paying high taxes...etc. Read the CNBC : The rich are getting second passports, citing risk of instability by Robert Frank, April 10, 2024. Please read how the concern of the rich migrate to the third and fourth second country. Two concerns of different classes of migrant people : A old man say, "Each plant has different flowers, each house has different circumstances". The issue of migration is not a new thing, but it has existed since there were creatures, from reptiles, from two-legged and four-legged species, on this Earth. Who dares to brag that my ancestors never left their homeland ? Every time I read unconscious criticism about legal or illegal immigration, it seems like I step on dog shit and curse : "bullshit !".

[@ilovecamels4889]

Nobody is saying you cannot move to another country if you desire to do so. But do it within the legal framework like millions of others. This is not the way and it has to stop.

[@kovy689]

@@ilovecamels4889well said!

[@robertskolimowski7049]

👏🕊🤝✌️

[@altarique123]

Keep doing the good work ❤❤❤

[@HeavyDwarf]

wtf is happening in this comment section ...

[@Sk8Bird]

Punk is not dead.

[@hugonavakopp]

Wow amazing work of these people . Their countries are been torn apart due to rich countries causing and financing wars via weapons manufacturing as well as economic destruction via exploitation of the poor countries natural resources

[@scottwebb4722]

you're not receiving orders from Lenin's preserved brain are you?

[@Mada-yq5sf]

Haha l love how stuffed up Europe is

[@blackthatha6960]

Get them OUT of Germany!

[@HeavyDwarf]

nobody asked you ... and this is not the topic of this video wtf

[@JusticeAlways]

So they are following along on what Jesus Christ would do.

[@hightower6645]

It's so wonderful to see them all doing God's work as one human race!! 🙏🏼🙏🏾🙏🙏🏻

[@danielgospodinov5786]

They are European traders. Outcasts.