With our rescue ships Humanity 1 and Humanity 2, we bring more humanity to the Mediterranean. We rescue people seeking protection from drowning, care for them on board and bring them safely ashore.
Our operations in numbers
39.645
people rescued since 2016*
Until the end of 2021, we rescued as the German branch of the SOS Mediterranee network with the Aquarius and the Ocean Viking.
87
Rescues and two transfers in 26 search and rescue missions with our ship Humanity 1
5.014
survivors welcomed on board Humanity 1
1.428
of those rescued by the crew of Humanity 1 were children and minors
Our rescue ship Humanity 1
The Humanity 1 is one of the largest and best equipped rescue ships in the central Mediterranean! Its name is both a reminder of our values – and a call to action.
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Range7.400 km
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Year of construction1976
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Output1.264 PS
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Length60 m
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FlagDE
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Costs / Day12.100 €
Our sailing ship Humanity 2 is mainly deployed off the coast of Tunisia, where there are hardly any larger ships in operation. The crew’s focus is on witnessing and documenting human rights violations at sea.
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Year of construction1985
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Max. speed11 kn
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Length24 m
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FlagDE
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Costs / Day€1.900
Crew on board Humanity 1
Search and rescue team
7 persons
Nautical and technical team
12 persons
Medical and protection team
6 persons
Communication and research team
3 persons
Our international crew consists of 28 people. Some of them are permanent employees while others join us on board as volunteers. You want to join our crew to save people from drowning? Check our crewing website. There you will find further information.
One additional berth on board is reserved for an external journalist.
The Humanity 1
The Humanity 1 was the first alliance ship of United4Rescue, operated by Sea-Watch as Sea-Watch 4. Until the transfer to SOS Humanity in August 2022 almost 1,900 people were rescued and brought safely ashore by Sea-Watch since its first departure in 2020.
In July 2022, the ship entered dry dock for mandatory routine examination and was rechristened Humanity 1 on 19 August 2022 in Vinaròs, Spain. At the end of August, the Humanity 1 set off on its first mission towards the central Mediterranean, where its crew save people from distress at sea.
Equipment on board
The Humanity 1 is well equipped for search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean. To detect distress cases at sea, the bridge has a standard radar and a high-performance radar at its disposal. From the moment of arrival in the rescue area, crew members are on the lookout for boats in distress with stabilised high-powered binoculars around the clock.
Two fast rescue boats (RHIBs) and 500 life jackets for adults, children, and babies are available for rescue operations. Another 500 life jackets are on board for emergencies. In addition, life rafts, centifloats (bananas) and other rescue equipment that keep people afloat in an emergency are available.
Our rescue ship Humanity 2
Our rescue ship Humanity 2 was acquired by SOS Humanity in Cannes in October 2025. It was previously known as Esmeralda of Southampton and was owned by shipyard operators, who carried out extensive renovations on the ship over a period of two years.
To provide the best possible care after a rescue, all survivors on board receive a rescue kit containing dry clothing, hygiene articles, emergency food, and drinking water.
There is also a clinic on board, equipped with two beds for acute emergencies as well as respirators, surgical instruments, and the most important medicines, among other things. The ship also has a separate shelter for women and children.
On board Humanity 1
