Seabird 1 & 2: civilian reconnaissance aircraft

Sea-Watch is not only active on the water, but also in the air. Together with the Swiss Humanitarian Pilot Initiative (HPI), we have been operating civilian aerial reconnaissance aircraft over the central Mediterranean since 2017. With our two Seabird aircraft, we can fly over a large sea area, where we document human rights violations and report emergencies to rescue coordination centers and ships. We monitor and document human rights violations - mostly illegal repatriations - by the so-called Libyan Coast Guard and report cases of failure to provide assistance at sea.

In 2024, our aircraft crew spotted 213 boats with over 10.500 people in distress at sea and were in the air for over 800 hours. We have witnessed massive human rights violations committed by Frontex, the EU states and the EU-funded so-called Libyan Coast Guard.

Help us with your donation to keep our Seabird aircraft in the air and send a clear signal against Europe's policy of isolation!