Episode 30: A new ship, same old problems

In today's episode, we speak with David Llado, a search-and-rescue coordinator for the Spanish rescue organisation Open Arms. David talks to us the organisation's new ship, the Open Arms Uno, and runs us through what happened on its first mission.  He tell us why, despite the fact that the new vessel has gone through more official checks than any other ship in the Spanish fleet, the authorities may still block it from saving lives in the Mediterranean.  We also hear about the lengths European states have gone to stop the Open Arms' other ships, and how they break international law by refusing to provide the rescued with a safe port for days and days.  We end on the worrying potential return to power of Italy's far right leader Matteo Salvini.  ---Show Notes--- For more on the Open Arms, visit: openarms.es/en Follow Open Arms' English Twitter feed here: @openarms_found To read The Civil Fleet's coverage of the Open Arms, see here: bit.ly/3L3I2Zu Check out The Civil Fleet's December 2020 written interview with David Llado here: bit.ly/3RZrLat  Listen to Episode 13 with Albert Mayordomo for more on the Open Arms For more on the EU-Turkey migrant deal, see this article by the International Rescue Committee: bit.ly/3Di7rwO Watch the clip Ben mentions with the barber cutting hair on the Open Arms Uno here: bit.ly/3d5e9eR   Listen to episode 29 for more on David Yambio's story Also, hear about Syrian refugee Hasan's journey to the UK in episode 25 For more on the Colibri reconnaissance plane, see here: bit.ly/3B7oRcN  For more on Seabird reconnaissance plane, see episode 1, and/or read about them here: bit.ly/3qvSnnA Get in touch: @FleetCivil [email protected] civilfleet.com Support:  ko-fi.com/civilfleet