A Ship Needs an Engineer: Emmanuel on His Work as Second Engineer Onboard Humanity 1
Emmanuel (he/him) is part of the engineering team aboard Humanity 1. He works as a second engineer and has been part of SOS Humanity since January 2023. I meet him on the ship, which is currently lying in the port of Siracuse, Sicily, where preparations for the next rotation are starting.
How did you learn about search and rescue in the central Mediterranean and what motivated you to work for SOS Humanity?
My friend Joshua works as a second officer here, which led me to making my research about civil search and rescue. I worked as an engineer and chief engineer on commercial vessels before, but then I learned that in Europe there are civil search and rescue vessels. So, I started applying. I then worked for other search and rescue organisations before joining SOS Humanity.
Right now, the ship is lying in port but soon the next rescue operation starts. What are your tasks right now and what will they be at sea?
The role of a second engineer is about maintenance of the machineries and equipment. If we have mechanical issues, I need to report to the chief engineer, and then find a solution to fix them as soon as possible. My work is also about ensuring that safety standards in the engine room are adhered to as well as training other engineering staff.
During the time in port, we have a planned maintenance system with a schedule of different tasks that need to be done for each machinery ranging from the main generator engines to the arbor generators, to the sewage plants, and freshwater generators. Each morning, we sit together with the chief engineer, decide on the priority tasks and start doing them. At sea, we are also venturing through other tasks, like the food distribution or assisting in the registration of survivors.
What do you enjoy about your work?
Oh, a lot. I love machineries, and to use my position as an engineer to support civil search and rescue.
What do you find difficult about your work?
Often, rescues happen at night. So, you have done your engine tasks for the day and then during the night you rescue, rescue, rescue… this can be really challenging. And especially when we rescue pregnant women or unaccompanied children, it can be emotionally very intense. It affects the whole crew.
What are your wishes or demands regarding civil search and rescue?
My wish is that the European Union acknowledges that there are people in distress at sea, that they need to be rescued and brought to close places of safety. For that, it is important for us to be allowed to disembark survivors at nearby ports so we can return fast to the operational area. This is not possible at the moment, because we often get assigned distant ports. The Italian government should provide the necessary support to civil search and rescue organisations. Also, I would like to encourage everybody to volunteer in civil search and rescue to keep it going.
[This interview was carried out in English in September 2024 by online communications intern Hannah Förster onboard Humanity 1.]
