MY Open Arms is a 50-year-old tugboat that has travelled the equivalent of two times around the world and rescued more than 65,000 people in more than 70 humanitarian missions. When not on active rescue missions, the MY Open Arms is also used for educational and awareness campaigns and visiting schools, ports, and events to promote understanding of the refugee crisis and maritime safety.

Originally constructed in 1975 as a tugboat designed for towing or pushing large ships in harbours or open seas, it was converted into a rescue vessel to aid in the humanitarian crises involving refugees crossing the Mediterranean, particularly between Libya and southern Europe. The tugboat’s transformation into a life-saving vessel reflects the NGO’s mission to protect the lives of vulnerable people who have been displaced by conflict, poverty, or persecution.

The crew of MY Open Arms consists of volunteers and professionals, including rescue divers, doctors, nurses, and logistics coordinators. Maintaining a ship of this age and keeping it operational for long-term rescue work involves significant logistical and financial burdens. With a length of 30 meters (98 feet) and a beam of 9.5 meters (31 feet), the MY Open Arms is large enough to handle rough seas but agile enough for critical search-and-rescue operations. Its speed of 12 knots allows it to respond to emergencies in the often turbulent Mediterranean oceans.

The missions typically involve locating overcrowded or stranded boats that have set off from North Africa in an attempt to reach European shores. These boats are often unseaworthy and at significant risk of capsizing.  The vessel’s primary role is to patrol areas of the Mediterranean where people in distress are found, offering rescue services, medical care, and safe passage.