‘I was willing to risk it all, or die’: a week onboard a rescue vessel in the Mediterranean Sea

The first of three rescue missions Emergency conducted during a week-long sail on the Mediterranean. Photograph: Stefanie Glinski

After hours searching the grey waters of the Mediterranean, a small dot appeared on the horizon: an unseaworthy wooden boat that had left the Libyan coast the day before. It had tried – but failed – to make it to Europe. Most of the 21 adults and children onboard had left behind war and torture, and said they would rather die on this crossing than return.

Some of the 21 people rescued from a boat travelling from Libya. Photograph: Stefanie Glinski