Spettacolo
"LIFEBOAT - the Experiment" by Sea-Watch to Increase Awareness of the Tortuous Journey that Refugees Endure Crossing the Mediterranean
People are dying daily in the Mediterranean attempting to flee. As thousands lose their lives, European politicians watch callously while actively preventing civil sea rescue organizations from conducting rescue efforts.
"The duty to carry out sea rescue is not only part of the law of the sea but is a basic human right and should simply be non-negotiable," exclaimed Michael Schwickart from Sea-Watch. He continued, "We are using 'LIFEBOAT – The Experiment' to raise awareness of the refugees' circumstances while attempting to flee, as well as posing the question if governments would still act in the same manner, refusing to help, if the passengers were privileged Europeans in need of sea rescue."
Sea-Watch developed the simulation in close collaboration with survivors based on their personal experiences and feelings during rescue missions – while still balancing the difference between a simulation and the actual reality. Khandra (18) remembers and describes the voyage from Libya to Italy as: "There were about 300 people on a really small boat. We were on the boat for around 23 hours. The weather was not particularly good, it was very windy with high waves. And as far as the eye could see, only water."
Unlike those actually fleeing – who have no other options – 40 volunteers squeezed themselves inside an overfilled inflatable boat. The boat was held inside a training facility and they participants remained inside the boat for an undetermined period of time in order to gain a mere glimpse of what the real experience must be like. Lights, sounds, sea movements were all simulated to be as realistic as possible. The volunteers had the option to jump overboard and swim to the nearby shore, where divers and medical personnel were waiting.
Saher (30), one of the refugees involved, explained his motivation: "By participating in 'LIFEBOAT - THE EXPERIMENT' I want to give refugees who can not speak for themselves a voice to be heard. My journey was the worst time of my life but I also know that there are even more worse stories out there. It is very smart to let the Germans experience a little bit of the suffering that I went through because people don't listen to the refugees any more."
The result of the experiment: Seven of the participants left the boat early and the remaining volunteers held out until the end – the majority of them extremely nauseous. All of the participants unanimously agreed that only something like extreme despair and hopelessness could persuade someone to endure something like this. "I have a better understanding of what a dire situation one must be facing in order to take such a big risk like this," said one participant after the experiment.
The experiment, the refugees' testimonies and the participants' reactions were filmed and edited into a documentary. Oscar-nominated director Skye Fitzgerald was the creative director and post-production producer. "This experiment is going to spark a dialogue that turns the tide. We need to start thinking about how to deal with this crisis in a more significant and meaningful way. If this helps change one person's opinion and perspective, then it was a success," explains Fitzgerald.
More information regarding "Lifeboat – The Experiment" can be found at www.lifeboatexperiment.org
Sea-Watch is a non-profit initiative of volunteers who could and can no longer stand by idly and watch those dying in the Mediterranean Sea. The volunteer activists from all over Europe have been involved in the rescue of more than 37,000 people to date. Through "LIFEBOAT - The Experiment", the organization wants to shift the focus on to the fate of refugees and to encourage a change in perspective.
Sea-Watch is financed exclusively by donations and is politically independent.
The rescue missions of the organization at sea and in the air are extremely costly, even though the majority of activities are carried out by volunteers.
Further information and material for editorial use can be found at: http://www.lifeboatexperiment.org
Sea-Watch e.V.
presse@sea-watch.org
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Katharina Bittner
katharina.bittner@achtung.de
+49-40-450-210-680
Katharina Schoelzel
katharina.schoelzel@achtung.de
+49-40-450-210-280
* YouGov survey was commissioned by Sea-Watch. The data used are based on an online survey conducted by YouGuv Deutschland GmbH, in which 2027 people participated between 20.03.2019 and 22.03.2019 . The results were weighted and are representative for the German population aged 18 and over.