Open Arms (watercraft)

Open Arms is a Mediterranean rescue vessel operated by the Proactiva Open Arms NGO.

Open Arms.

It is 36.9 meters long and 9.5 meters wide. Before 2018, it was named Ibaizabal Tres.[1][2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

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

In November 2020, Open Arns rescued 250 people in one week.[5]

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.[6]

References
  1. Open Arms (IMO: 7325887) in Marinetraffic, accessed 28 May 2021
  2. IBAIZABAL TRES Tug (MMSI: 7325887) www.vesseltracker.com, accessed 28 May 2021
  3. Periódico, El «Open Arms vuelve al Mediterráneo a rescatar inmigrantes» (es). elperiodico, 23-11-2018, accessed 10 January 2023
  4. ‘It was mind-boggling’: Richard Gere on the rescue boat at the heart of Salvini trial Lorenzo Tondo www.theguardian.com, accessed 28 March 2023
  5. Open Arms refugee rescue ship saves 250 people in the last week 12 November 2020 www.catalannews.com, accessed 28 March 2023
  6. "Italy impounds migrant charity ship after multiple rescues". Reuters. 5 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
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