It's a sad world after all...Emigrant salvage operation by @stalexmkl
This world has so much misery in it. Most of us are very happy for not knowing all the suffery in the world. Yes, some of us really had bad life experiences, the rest we can see on TV. But it is so much different when you see it in first person. Then the emotions are much more vivid, it cuts deep into your flesh and lingers on.
I have been sailing for 8 years now. So far I have seen much of the world. Some countries even at short glace can be experienced as they are; poor, undeveloped, dangerous, dirty, etc...
As Croatian I can say that we are a happy nation after all. Yes, we have plenty problems, corrupt government, basis to live as one of the most developed countries in the world, and we don't. We like to complain all the time and that is how things work. It is in human nature always to improve oneself.
But comparing our small country to the rest of the world...well, what can I say? It's a sad world after all. 90% of world's population are much more miserable than we are. But we do not see that every day. We are not reminded of that poor destinies, and so we continue wailing as if we are on some kind of funeral.
This story happened in 2014 while we were drifting in Alboran sea. It is a stretch of Mediterranean sea between Gibraltar strait and Algeria.
Source
This wasn't the first time we encounter refugees from poor African countries, but this group was quite abundant. As we know, people from middle Africa try to get to south European countries (mostly Italy and Spain). These countries do not have signed contracts of deportation, so usually they provide asylum for the people they find in their waters. It is hard enough to reach north African coast, because they usually have to sell that little what they have in order to cross jungles, deserts and war ridden African countries.
When they finally reach north African coast, then they need to buy a floating vessel of any kind and try to cross Mediterranean sea. Little people know how Mediterranean sea can be rough and inhospitable. By some estimate, 90% of emigrants from Africa never reach European soil and get lost at sea! This is a great and sad number. Knowing that thousands of them eventually reach Europe, it is easy to immagine all the lost souls at sea...
The most afordable and versatile raft they can find is an inflatable speedboat with modest engine and small amount of fuel. This fuel is not nearly enough to cross the Mediterranean sea, even on a narrow patch like Alboran sea. Is really seems that this particular group had a blessing to encounter us.
When ship like ours is loaded with cargo, that demands swift delivery of that precious content to discharge port. Since millions are in stake, the ships speed must be nearly at maximum (17-20knots). At that speed, our only duty is to avoid any other ships and boats, but their purpose at sea is not our business. At the time of this encounter, we didn't have any cargo on board. That means that we need to wait in our most economical mode (on anchore or adrift) until company provides us with new contract and loading port. Our order was to keep drifting in Alboran sea and wait for further instructions.
These poor people were incredibly lucky because a drifting ship is an easy target to get near to. Our Officers on Watch immediately noticed suspicious boat aproaching and yelling for help could as well be heard. In times of modern piracy like this, you need to be extremely cautious, because pirates use the same tactics to board vessels and to extract ransom from the company. We were not allowed to establish any contact with this boat and we immediately contacted Spanish coast guard an reported this incident.
There were around 30 people in a small, crowded craft! Amazing what person will do to reach better life! There was one pregnant woman between them as well. They demanded some water because they were thirsty, and we provided it to them.
Spanish authorities wer swift, and in less than hour Spanish coast guard boat was under our side. Even a Spanish warship joined to monitor salvage operation and to ensure that everything is going smoothly.
The crew was quite shocked by this incident, but we all were quite relieved when we saw the people were taken care of. When they stepped on a coast guard boat, they started waving us and thanking us for calling help. Most of us felt happy and cheerful for being able to help at least someone in this poor life condition. All of us commented how lucky we all are and how we should learn to appreciate the kind of life we have, our jobs, families and our country which is, even though it has a lot of problems, a paradise to live in!
I hope that you enjoyed reading.
All photos on this page are @originalcontent by @stalexmkl!
Just imagine mind set of people who are going to this boats. They are probably in total despair if they are ready to do this.
Long comment short...fucking monetary system and man made divisions that force us to not co-operate instead of working together. We already have all the technology to everyone can live without worrying how they gonna survive.
Agree 100%. I often think about Borg from Star Trek. Just imagine the progress human race could achieve if we functioned in cause of the common goal. Or just like bees or ants. I mean, even if we strove with only 10% of our capacities it would be a miracle. Let's hope that kind of future awaits mankind.
WARNING! The comment below by @blockchainfiend leads to a known phishing site that could steal your account.
Do not open links from users you do not trust. Do not provide your private keys to any third party websites.
Thank you!!!
This is a story to tell! Nice one!
Thank you dear!
I know that the job you do is not easy but I think you feel good
about it, and when you come home I am sure that you are a better person.
You are right both ways. I believe that sad and tough things can inspire you to respect your life. And regarding job aspect, the harder you earn it, the more you appreciate it! :)
For us at this day and age, the despair these people are feeling is unimaginable
You said it all, there is little I can add to it.
Congratulations @stalexmkl, this post is the third most rewarded post (based on pending payouts) in the last 12 hours written by a Newbie account holder (accounts that hold between 0.01 and 0.1 Mega Vests). The total number of posts by newbie account holders during this period was 4509 and the total pending payments to posts in this category was $2100.25. To see the full list of highest paid posts across all accounts categories, click here.
If you do not wish to receive these messages in future, please reply stop to this comment.