After four years of deployment in the Aegean Sea, we have decided with a heavy heart to assign our ship MARE LIBERUM to a new purpose. From 2018 to 2021, we were operating with our ship in the Aegean Sea and documenting human rights violations and border violence against people on the move on the dangerous flight route between Turkey and Greece. This mission was several times interrupted by multiple attempts of blockage and criminalization of our work. Unfortunately, the increasing repression and criminalisation by Greek authorities have made the further deployment of the MARE LIBERUM impossible, so that we have shifted our focus from the sea to the coast at the beginning of the year.
“The decision was not easy for us, but the repressive laws in Greece make it impossible for NGOs to monitor human rights with a ship anymore. We can no longer deploy the ship in Greece, we now have to find a new purpose for it” - Hanno, board member of Mare Liberum.
We offer the ship to any good use. Questions and offers can be answered by mail: info@mare-liberum.org
The ship is well maintained and ready to sail. It is located on the island of Lesvos but can be brought to wherever it suits a new owner. Ideas of use are: Driving on the sea, SAR-trainings, museum, decoration and place for events on land (like the example of the Beluga), house-boat and many more.
The current MARE LIBERUM was built in 1917 and celebrated its 100th anniversary in the Aegean Sea. The ship is in good condition and has a long history. The ship used to be called GO46 and was used as a crab cutter in the Netherlands. Later it was converted into a houseboat and equipped with six beds, bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator, heating and fresh water machine. The energy supply is almost self-sufficient thanks to a recently installed large photovoltaic system and a powerful generator. The mess is comfortable with sofas for eight people to use as an office area and living room. On deck there is space for meetings and a roof terrace. The RHIB can be hoisted with a very strong beam. Many spare parts and tools are available on board. Long range and three VHF radios are on board. The technical and safety equipment is up to date for ocean voyages.
In 2014, the vessel was bought by SEA-WATCH a German NGO. Over the years, the ship became not only a symbol of civilian humanitarian engagement but also a witness to failing European migration policy, as the European Union continues to knowingly accept the dying and disappearing of people at its external borders.
After a break, the SEA-WATCH headed back to the Aegean Sea in 2017, where she returned with a new mission as MARE LIBERUM to the migration route between Turkey and Greece.
