Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) rescues shipwrecked Syrians on Greek island of Agathonisi
AGATHONISI (02/01/2016) – Early this morning 35 refugees endured five hours in heavy seas only to end up shipwrecked upon jagged rocks on a remote Aegean island called Agathonisi (pop. 100). Local fishermen where the first to find them and alerted the Hellenic Coast Guard. The 60-metre MOAS ship Responder was launched by the joint rescue coordination centre Piraeus to conduct search and rescue operations.
The MOAS fast-rescue boat was deployed, guided by fishermen who took the team to a rudimentary shack where the wet, bleeding refugees huddled. One small baby boy had drowned and 11 people were injured by the violent impact on the sharp island rocks. A three-month old infant boy was severely hypothermic and was stabilized.
MOAS then coordinated with local NGOs on the island, together with the two local fishermen, three French medical staff from Medecins Sans Frontieres, Lagan Search and Rescue as well MOAS’ onboard volunteers from CISOM and the ERRC (Emergency Response Rescue Corps). The Swedish Sea Rescue Society also assisted, while a quayside restaurant participated in the rescue by sheltering a number of the refugees.
After treatment, and processing by Greek authorities, the wounded and deceased were transferred to the Responder and brought to Pythagoria, the southern port on the island of Samos. MOAS was met by the Hellenic Coast Guard, Greek police and the coroner. Although movement of refugees from Turkey has been reduced by freezing windy conditions, the high seas and numbing cold have not stopped refugees from making the five-hour crossing.
“Nothing can prepare you for the horrific reality of what is going on. Today we came face to face with one of the youngest victims of this ongoing refugee crisis. It is a tragic reminder of the thousands of people who have died trying to reach safety in miserable conditions,” said founder Christopher Catrambone.
“The light in all of this darkness is that there are so many individuals and organisations dedicating themselves to saving lives. As we have seen today, collaboration and cooperation is crucial to all of us being effective in our efforts,” he added.
MOAS launched its life-saving mission in the Aegean Sea late last month in the waters between Turkey and Greece, aboard the MOAS Responder, which is fully-equipped to conduct mass rescue and post-rescue care. MOAS also coordinates with all stakeholders including the Hellenic Coast Guard, NGOs, fisherman and volunteers. The Responder is also able to deploy two fast 30-knot weather tight rescue boats Alan and Galip, named after two Syrian brothers who drowned in September.
“It is a fitting testament to our public support that MOAS can apply our public donations to save people and serve local lifesavers,” said MOAS Director Martin Xuereb
Last week, MOAS rescued some 59 refugees from two separate unseaworthy boats and will continue to mount search and rescue operations where needed.
MOAS has two all-weather fast response boats named after Alan and Galip Kurdi who died attempting to cross the Aegean in September of last year. Their deaths sparked an international wave of support to prevent deaths at sea.
MOAS rescue swimmer Ripley Davenport carries a young Syrian refugee from a fisherman’s shack on the remote eastern edge of Agathonisi where her family had sought refuge in the freezing cold after a dawn shipwreck.
CISOM volunteer Dr Giada helps a wet and cold Syrian child put on dry socks in a refugee center in Agathonisi
Dr Giada brings back a three month old baby from severe hypothermia in a remote fisherman’s shack on Agathonisi
Ripley Davenport is one of two volunteer rescue swimmers on board the MOAS ship “Responder”. The swimmers are trained to dive into frigid water to safely rescue people who may have fallen overboard or on a sinking vessel.
Tim Brown and Ripley Davenport prepare to provide first aid to hypothermic refugees shipwrecked on a remote rocky peninsula in eastern Agathonisi
Syrian refugees still cross from the coast of Turkey to Greece in subzero weathers, gale force winds and high seas. They often cross at night and have rudimentary navigation skills. This family found itself on the rocks in the dark and suffered injuries
The tiny fishing island of Agathonisi is overwhelmed with refugees who cross the Aegean to find refuge in Europe. They are quickly processed by Greek Authorities and sent on their way
Volunteer Dr Giada of CISOM wipes away tears of joy after seeing the two month old baby regaining its health.
MSF France Dr Ludvik and Dr Giada confer with Greek Coast Guard authorities to make sure the wounded are cared for
A Syrian refugee girl in a shelter on Agathonisi. Although they have crossed the Aegean a long difficult trip awaits the over one million migrants and refugees who make to trip to Europe.
The Swedish Search and Rescue volunteers inspect the MOAS ship Responder in Agathonisi harbor. NGO’s in the region work closely together with the Greek authorities to deal with the non stop flow of refugees and casualties
The Swedish Search and Rescue volunteers inspect the MOAS ship Responder in Agathonisi harbor. NGO’s in the region work closely together with the Greek authorities to deal with the non stop flow of refugees and casualties
Volunteer MOAS crew member Ripley Davenport entertains the children who are being treated in the clinic on board the Responder
MOAS crew member Mimmo takes special care of the sleeping infant who had been revived from life threatening hypothermia. Many of the casualties are children like the two year old boy Khalid, who was swept overload and transported in the Responder’s morgue.
MSF nurse Anna discusses conditions on Agathonisi with the Swedish Search and Rescue crew aboard MOAS Responder. The NGO’s welcome the assistance and coordination in working together with the Greek government to address this humanitarian crisis in the region.
A young Syrian man tries to sleep in the sun at a shelter after a difficult night He has learned that his cousin Khalid died in the crossing. He studied engineering in Syria and hopes to make a new home in Germany where he will continue his studies.
The weather in the Eastern Aegean is brutally cold, with winds up to 40km per hour and temperatures that drop to minus 3 degrees centigrade. The deadly weather and high seas do not stop the flow of refugees, they only slow it down. Smugglers adjust by simply lowering prices.
With more foul weather approaching, the 60 meter MOAS Responder stands on watch in the Eastern Aegean.
MOAS and the Responder in the harbour of Agathasini. Behind the new search and rescue boat is a Turkish boat seized by authorities after being used to smuggle 150 people
Who is MOAS: MOAS has already saved almost 12,000 people in the Central Mediterranean since 2014. In 2015 an outpouring of public support allowed MOAS to become a global NGO providing SAR services where they are needed the most. The area of current operation was determined after discussions with the Greek authorities. The Responder acts a mother ship to launch 24/7 all-weather rescues in the Aegean.
Who is CISOM: Since 2008, CISOM – the Order of Malta Italian Relief Corp, has been providing health care on board of the Coast Guard and Guardia di Finanza ships. It also participated in the “Mare Nostrum” mission with the Italian Navy in the Strait of Sicily aimed at rescuing migrants at sea and offering timely and effective medical aid. Through the doctors and nurses have developed a specific capability in search and rescue at sea, specialising in healthcare emergency. With the aim of training professionals to cope with emergency situations occurring during the management of migrant flows on high seas, CISOMS’s rescue expertise and specific hospital interventions has turned it into a corps specialized in first-aid at sea. It has saved some 40.000 migrants.
