S.O.S. for the Preservation
of Rescue at Sea
Since 2016, SOS MEDITERRANEE has been driven by a simple, universal, and unwavering principle: to save people in distress at sea.
Every day, in the Central Mediterranean, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world, women, men and children risk drowning while much of the world looks away.
Europe turns its back.
Coastal states are stepping away from their responsibilities, adopting policies that actively obstruct humanitarian efforts: assigning distant ports, banning multiple rescues during a single mission, and creating a maze of administrative barriers.
Everything is being done to push us out of the water, to raise our costs and shut down our operations, leaving one of the world’s most dangerous seas with even fewer rescue ships.
The consequences are tragic. The death toll rises, year after year.
Since 2014, more than 31,700 people have vanished/disappeared in the Mediterranean.
Not because of bad luck, but because help never came.
This horrifying reality stands in stark contradiction to international maritime law, which clearly states that anyone in distress at sea must be rescued and brought to a safe place without delay.
Today, that obligation is being ignored.
We call on governments:
- To recognize and uphold the legal obligation to assist anyone in distress at sea, in line with international maritime law;
- To establish effective coordination of rescue operations;
- And to ensure swift disembarkation in a place of safety, as required by international law.
Because no life deserves to be forgotten.
Respond to this S.O.S.
Sign this appeal to defend the unconditional nature of rescue at sea.
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S.O.S. for the Preservation of Rescue at Sea
Since 2016, SOS MEDITERRANEE has been driven by a simple, universal, and unwavering principle: to save people in distress at sea.
Every day, in the Central Mediterranean, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world, women, men and children risk drowning while much of the world looks away.
Europe turns its back.
Coastal states are stepping away from their responsibilities, adopting policies that actively obstruct humanitarian efforts: assigning distant ports, banning multiple rescues during a single mission, and creating a maze of administrative barriers.
Everything is being done to push us out of the water, to raise our costs and shut down our operations, leaving one of the world’s most dangerous seas with even fewer rescue ships.
The consequences are tragic. The death toll rises, year after year.
Since 2014, more than 31,700 people have vanished/disappeared in the Mediterranean.
Not because of bad luck, but because help never came.
This horrifying reality stands in stark contradiction to international maritime law, which clearly states that anyone in distress at sea must be rescued and brought to a safe place without delay.
Today, that obligation is being ignored.
That’s why we’re launching an appeal.
An appeal to reason.
An appeal to conscience.
An appeal to those who refuse to look away.
Rescue at sea is not optional. It is a legal obligation.
The right to be rescued doesn’t depend on a passport, migration status or political climate.
Saving lives is unconditional.
It is a moral imperative.
A duty of humanity.
We refuse to let the Mediterranean remain an invisible graveyard.
We call on governments:
- To recognize and uphold the legal obligation to assist anyone in distress at sea, in line with international maritime law;
- To establish effective coordination of rescue operations;
- And to ensure swift disembarkation in a place of safety, as required by international law.
Because no life deserves to be forgotten.
Respond to this S.O.S.
Sign this appeal to defend the unconditional nature of rescue at sea.