Dealing with Refugee Boats

Dealing with Refugee Boats

Mike Tompkinson raised a very interesting and important question on MedNet recently asking what actions to take should he come across a refugee boat at sea, especially in the area of Italy (see http://www.theca.org.uk/node/26708). Whilst one's immediate reaction might be to stand by or offer assistance it seems this might not be the safest course of action.

Brian Allen related a story about some friends of his who came across a refugee boat between Italy and Corfu. The boat tried to intercept them and when his friends turned away the refugee boat gave chase, Brian says that they

only just managed to outrun it. During the 45 minutes of the chase, when they thought their lives might be at risk, they issued several Mayday distress calls but got no response from anyone. [And this is a fairly busy shipping corridor. Ed.] They believe the coastguard must have heard their calls however because about an hour later a helicopter arrived at their position and hovered over their boat before turning away and heading back towards Italy.

Peter Charlton rightly points out that as sad and traumatic as meeting a packed refugee boat would be you have to remind yourself that these operations are run by ruthless criminals trafficking desperate people. You should always bear in mind as Peter says, that either the criminals or the refugees might well throw you off your own boat in order to save themselves or to prevent you reporting their position. He goes on to point out that few of us have been trained to handle such a situation. If you don't have the skills and resources your actions might be like jumping into the sea to save a drowning man – you might make the situation worse. Peter's advice should you be chased by a refugee boat is to copy Captain Phillips from the recent film of the same name, and have a VHF conversation with a fictitious US warship. Peter admits that his comments sound harsh but he points out that he has been to many places in the world where people will think little of killing you to steal your trainers!

Mike has contacted the Royal Navy about what action to take and was advised to keep away, he is now asking the British Foreign Office for their advice. I would recommend that all members take a regular look at the MedNet thread, especially those in the areas of Italy, Sicily, Malta, and even Greece and Turkey.