Javi Julio

Photographer

www.javijulio.com

Mision-01

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Location: San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain

Nationality: Spanish

Biography: San Sebastian, Basque Country (1978) is a photojournalist and filmmaker. He has worked as a freelance photo and video journalist collaborating with different international media and agencies, focusing his objective on social struggles, respect... MORE

After more than a year of blockade by the Government of Spain, the Aita Mari finally manages to leave the port of Pasaia, where it has been anchored for the last year and a half.
This old Basque tuna boat with volunteers on board is preparing to carry out its first rescue mission

October 20th, 2019. San Sebast...editerranean as a rescue ship.

October 20th, 2019. San Sebastian, Spain.

After more than a year of blockade by the Government of Spain, the Aita Mari sets sail on its first mission to the Central Mediterranean as a rescue ship.

November  19th, 2019. ...ft the Libyan area for Europe.

November 19th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

During a night watch, a ship's officer checks the radar for boats that have left the Libyan area for Europe.

November  20th, 2019. ...he Libyan area towards Europe.

November 20th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

A volunteer on the boat looks at the horizon in search of boats that have left the Libyan area towards Europe.

November  22th, 2019. ...teers begin rescue operations.

November 22th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

A boat with a damaged engine is found in the middle of the sea, with 80 people on board. Mission volunteers begin rescue operations.

November  22th, 2019. ...scued by Aita Mari volunteers.

November 22th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

A group of refugees smile as they are transported to the ship after being rescued by Aita Mari volunteers.

November 22th, 2019. Central M... once he is on board the boat.

November 22th, 2019. Central Mediterraean. 
One of the rescued people covers himself with a blanket to warm up once he is on board the boat.

November  22th, 2019. ...over themselves for the night.

November 22th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

After the rescue, the 80 refugees settle into the stern of the boat and cover themselves for the night.

November  22th, 2019. ...it with the 80 people on board

November 22th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

One of the rescued people looks at the horizon during the first morning on the boat. Although the Aita Mari has complied with all the protocols, Italy has denied the ship entry into its waters, so they will have to wait with the 80 people on board

November  23th, 2019. ...t with the 80 people on board.

November 23th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

Dawn aboard the Aita Mari. Several people watch the sunrise. Although the ship has complied with all the protocols, Italy has denied the ship entry into its waters, so they will have to wait with the 80 people on board.

November 25th, 2019. Central M...t with the 80 people on board.

November 25th, 2019. Central Mediterraean. 
Several rescued people watch the coast of Sicily. The boat has been circling the island for several days. Although the ship has complied with all the protocols, Italy has denied the ship entry into its waters, so they will have to wait with the 80 people on board.

November  26th, 2019. ...he will finally reach dry land

November 26th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

After 6 days have passed since the day of the rescue, Italy finally grants the right to port for the Aita Mari.

One of the rescued people washes his face at dawn, knowing that that night he will finally reach dry land

November  26th, 2019. ... the journey for many of them.

November 26th, 2019. Central Mediterraean.

A person says goodbye to the ship's volunteers with tears. After 6 days of waiting, the 80 people rescued days before finally arrive at port. However, it is not yet the end of the journey for many of them.

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Mision-01

Copyright Javi Julio 2024

Updated Sep 2023

After 2 years of administrative delays, problems with the government and threats of millionaire fines, the crew of the Aita Mari manages to go to sea, to fulfill the purpose for which the ship was created.

The ship keeps watch for days in the SAR Libya area, they find a boat with a broken engine and 80 people on board.

Once the rescue is done, Malta closes the ports to the ship and the Italian government takes 6 days to answer the ship's distress call. A few days later, the 80 rescued people managed to disembark in Sicily, giving them a new chance for a future and a life in Europe.

Javi Julio

Sep 15, 2023

Story

Basque Country

Javi Julio / Basque Country

Sep 1, 2013 - Ongoing

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