A crackling of the radio followed by a Greek voice woke me half past midnight. I listened in on the universal VHF radio. Quickly the conversation began to make sense as a picture was painted in my mind: two refugee boats en route, with a third potential. Hailing ProActiva, I made it clear that MoChara was standing by and ready to assist.
Our team decided to suit up and meet at the boat. On the way to the docks, I saw a boat approaching the beach. Volunteers helped to unload the wet, cold refugees and cries of babies filled the air. Anais stayed with the group, and began helping the refugees toward the Platanos camp, where volunteers gave them warm clothes, food and drink.
Meanwhile, our crew loaded our rescue boat and took off into the black ocean. We made radio contact with the other rescue boats and watchtower. As of now, the two boats were safe and there was a potential boat that was spotted on thermal imaging.
We scanned the horizons with our night vision binoculars, and kept in tight communication using radio and cell phone. We were told that the lookouts had lost their thermal vision, and our help on the water was crucial. As the other rescue boats when to harbor to get rest, the MoChara stayed afloat for the next 4.5 hours.
Patrolling the waters at night is simultaneously invigorating and exhausting. We felt a responsibility as there were many rumors that a large group of refugee boats were going to take off.
At one point, a Portuguese police boat spotlighted us. They never hailed us on radio, though they made their presence clear. We walk a fine line being a rescue in these times and waters. Communication is imperative, and so is playing by "the rules." We were told that another rescue boat was confiscated last night by police because they were "using the radio too much." Our crew is making sure to tread the waters lightly and keep our distance from any trouble with authority.
After reaching port after 5 am, we all went home for a rest. I woke up groggy and raced to the cafe for a meeting with the team. We were reported that 14 boats landed on the south eastern side of the island, towards Mytilene. We discussed the possibilities of helping in this zone if need be, although there is a large coastguard and NATO presence off the coast of the capital city, Mytilene.
Anais is in the process of making the crew a delicious dinner so we can be well fed, energized, and ready to go out again tonight.
Let us pray for calm seas, warm winds, and safe crossings!
Light & Love on this night!
Thank you to all the supporters that have helped Anais and I get out here. Sat Nam Foundation is sponsoring us to be out here, and to provide the refugees with the care they need. Please support us at: http://satnamfoundation.org/index.php/campaign/lesbos/
Our team decided to suit up and meet at the boat. On the way to the docks, I saw a boat approaching the beach. Volunteers helped to unload the wet, cold refugees and cries of babies filled the air. Anais stayed with the group, and began helping the refugees toward the Platanos camp, where volunteers gave them warm clothes, food and drink.
Meanwhile, our crew loaded our rescue boat and took off into the black ocean. We made radio contact with the other rescue boats and watchtower. As of now, the two boats were safe and there was a potential boat that was spotted on thermal imaging.
We scanned the horizons with our night vision binoculars, and kept in tight communication using radio and cell phone. We were told that the lookouts had lost their thermal vision, and our help on the water was crucial. As the other rescue boats when to harbor to get rest, the MoChara stayed afloat for the next 4.5 hours.
Patrolling the waters at night is simultaneously invigorating and exhausting. We felt a responsibility as there were many rumors that a large group of refugee boats were going to take off.
At one point, a Portuguese police boat spotlighted us. They never hailed us on radio, though they made their presence clear. We walk a fine line being a rescue in these times and waters. Communication is imperative, and so is playing by "the rules." We were told that another rescue boat was confiscated last night by police because they were "using the radio too much." Our crew is making sure to tread the waters lightly and keep our distance from any trouble with authority.
After reaching port after 5 am, we all went home for a rest. I woke up groggy and raced to the cafe for a meeting with the team. We were reported that 14 boats landed on the south eastern side of the island, towards Mytilene. We discussed the possibilities of helping in this zone if need be, although there is a large coastguard and NATO presence off the coast of the capital city, Mytilene.
Anais is in the process of making the crew a delicious dinner so we can be well fed, energized, and ready to go out again tonight.
Let us pray for calm seas, warm winds, and safe crossings!
Light & Love on this night!
Thank you to all the supporters that have helped Anais and I get out here. Sat Nam Foundation is sponsoring us to be out here, and to provide the refugees with the care they need. Please support us at: http://satnamfoundation.org/index.php/campaign/lesbos/
No comments:
Post a Comment