Mare Liberum

Mare Liberum observe the human rights situation in the Aegean Sea by ship.

The aim is to observe, document and draw public attention to the dangerous situation at the European border between Turkey and Greece and to strengthen solidarity and fundamental human rights.

Due to changes to the Regulation on Sea Leisure Yachts and the Regulation on Ship Safety by the Ministry of Transport, our mission is currently blocked.

Support us to act against this blockade! Learn more about the amendments!

News

Locked down in Hell

June 21, 2020

While bars, restaurants and hotels are anxiously awaiting the first tourists, refugee camps located on the Greek islands of the Aegean Sea today went into their 4rd round of lockdown lasting until the 5th of July.

New pushback-strategy - How the Hellenic Coast Guard leaves refugees in life rafts at sea

June 18, 2020

From May 23 to 25 2020 the Turkish Coast Guard rescued a total of 101 migrants from six life rafts in the Aegean Sea.

The legalization of border violence

June 16, 2020

Systematic human rights violations have become the norm at the EU external borders. Refugees that are trying to cross into Europe are met with extrem violence from the authorities on a daily basis.

Chronology of incidents on Lesvos

June 8, 2020

How 20.000 refugees just want to leave and conservative islanders, as well as solidary people want them to travel forward – Everybody for very different reasons.

There are a lot of people in boats crossing the area between the Turkish coast and Lesbos to find a safer life on Europe’s shores.

We are monitoring the human rights situation in this highly militarised zone, observing intersections, pickups and also landings.

The crew of Mare Liberum works together on their ship in order to monitor and document the situation, but also to organise their every day life on the ship.

Mare Liberum is usually docked at the port of Skala Loutron, a small village in the southeastern part of Lesvos.
The ship was built in 1917 and it is 21 m long and 5m wide.
The ship sails north for five hours at 6.5 knots.
The mission begins.
The anchor is dropped in Lamna reef point, in Greek territorial waters in front of the Turkish shores.
The anchor is dropped in Lamna reef point, in Greek territorial waters in front of the Turkish shores.
The Crew consists of seven members.
They organize monitoring shifts every day and night. Two people every three hours.
Radar, plotter and maps are used to monitor the navigational traffic.
The area is patrolled by the Turkish and the Hellenic coastguards, Frontex vessels and NATO warships.
Scanning the seaside with binoculars and listening to radio communications are the main activities of the crew during the night.
Scanning the seaside with binoculars and listening to radio communications are the main activities of the crew during the night.
Most of the mirgants' boats try to cross during night-time.
When the weather conditions are favorable, using the sail is possible to patrol the borderline.
The sea can be extremly dangerous even in good weather conditions.
Thousands of people lost their lives wheil crossing the border.
The crew meets regularly to discuss what they experince during the shifts and to archive the cases.
If needed, the back-office of Mare Liberum is ready to offer support and legal advice.
During day-time the crew takes care of the ship, degreasing the handrails and fixing the rudder.
During day-time the crew takes care of the ship, degreasing the handrails and fixing the rudder.
Among other activities the crew checks oil pressure, water temperature, batteries' state of charge and engines.
Cooking and eating together are part of the everyday life on the ship.
Cooking and eating together are part of the everyday life on the ship.
Putting oil, inflating and getting Mudda ready, the ship's rhib.
Putting oil, inflating and getting Mudda ready, the ship's rhib.
Final steps towards the end of the mission.
Final steps towards the end of the mission.
Final steps towards the end of the mission.