Onboard the global charity organization Migrant Offshore Aid Station’s (MOAS’s) ship MY Phoenix, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 again proved to be vital for the outstanding achievements of the non-governmental organization’s search-and-rescue efforts in the Mediterranean.
During this year’s mission, that started from Valletta, Malta, at the beginning of June, more than 19,000 men, women and children in emergency situations have been saved from drowning in the sea on their attempt to cross the Mediterranean by the MOAS’ crew — in partnership with the Italian Red Cross. These results are a huge increase compared to the already impressing numbers of the same rescue missions in 2014 and 2015.
Since MOAS launched in 2014, a total of around 30,000 persons have been rescued and assisted with medical aid.
“The use of drones has been instrumental to MOAS’ successful humanitarian efforts,” said MOAS founder Christopher Catrambone. “The Schiebel Camcopter S-100, with its takeoff and landing capability on the 40-meter-long ship MY Phoenix, has been providing real-time daylight and infrared video, widening the view of the crew onboard and enabling them to locate migrants in distress even well beyond the horizon.”
“When it comes to shipborne search-and-rescue missions, the better all available assets are used, the more people can be saved,” said Hannes Hecher, CEO of the Vienna-based company. “That is the reason why the role of our Camcopter S-100 has once again been so crucial; the information it generates makes up for the best possible coordination of all actors and resources involved in the mission.”
During this year’s mission, as in 2014 and 2015, Schiebel provided MOAS with a Camcopter S-100 system — the world’s leading unmanned helicopter solution for maritime tasks — as well as with an experienced team of onboard operators.
