Provide Emergency Care for Children Rescued at Sea

As families around the world gathered to welcome the New Year, the Ocean Viking was finally back at sea. While celebrations took place on land, our teams were responding to people in distress in the Mediterranean, rescuing families and children just hours into the ship’s first patrol after months away. This return followed an unprecedented attack on our humanitarian rescue and medical ship by the Libyan Coast Guard in international waters, which had forced the Ocean Viking out of service for repairs. Being back at sea marked a renewed commitment to assist people in danger with care, dignity, and experience - consider it our resolution for 2026!

Since resuming operations, our teams have assisted 123 people, including families with young children, bringing the total number of people rescued in 2025 to 1,358, and 90 people assisted so far in 2026. Here's the breakdown : 

• During the first rescue after returning to sea on the 31st of December, 33 people from two families were brought safely on board, among them infants, young children, and a pregnant woman traveling alone - many fleeing war in Sudan. Later that same day, while heading to assist another boat in distress, the Ocean Viking was instructed by the Libyan Coast Guard to leave the area to ensure the safety of those already on board.
  
  
• Last week, the Ocean Viking rescued 46 people from a rubber boat in distress in international waters. Among them were two babies around one year old, a 15-year-old child, and three women. Not even a few days later, they saved another 44 people and this time the survivors were severely dehydrated after days at sea; many were too weak to walk and required immediate support. Thanks to the onboard clinic and trained teams, urgent medical care was provided as soon as they reached safety.

These moments illustrate why readiness matters. Each rescue depends on child-sized life jackets, medical supplies, fuel, food, water, and hygiene items that add upto almost $27,000 of costs per day for a rescue at sea. Essentials allow care to begin the moment people step on board.

How can you support rescue at sea? VERY EASILY.

1. Sign up to our newsletter and talk to your friends and family about our mission!
2. Become a monthly donor or sponsor a life jacket through a one-off donation.
3. Follow us our on social media and engage with our updates by sharing them in your circles. 

 With continued donor support, the Ocean Viking remains prepared to respond whenever families and children are in distress at sea, providing protection and care during the most critical hours of their journey. Get in touch with us by e-mail, through our website contact form or on our social media channels if you want to learn more about the organization or the impact of your donation. We are transparent and happy to set up a call with our donors to keep you informed and aware!

Links:

• Testimony of a Sudanese family fleeing war on our website.
• How our medical care works on board the ship.
• How we will integrate Air support operations into our Search!