Uniting Seas for Humanity: The Birth of Open Arms United with Yachting

In December 2022, a remarkable collaboration was born in Barcelona. Schwalgien Yacht Design and Waterproof Consulting joined forces with the local NGO Open Arms to raise awareness about their critical mission within the yachting sector. This partnership began with Open Arms United with Yachting (OAUY), a foundation that supports humanitarian efforts at sea.

Kirsten and Richard, the visionaries behind this initiative, have excelled in their careers. Their success brought with it a profound sense of responsibility towards society and a fervent desire to make a positive impact. To inspire others and set a good example for their kids, they founded OAUY. Their cherished Barcelona, a city steeped in maritime history, tightly bonds with this cause.

With their maritime experience and love of the sea, Kirsten and Richard felt it natural to support an initiative in the field. Their journey toward this cause was profoundly influenced by watching the film “The Mediterranean: The Law of the Sea,” which documents the origins and mission of Open Arms.

The film’s vivid depiction of the Mediterranean’s humanitarian crisis struck a chord with them.

They contacted Open Arms to discuss potential assistance methods.

There was an immediate sense of connection and engagement from their initial meeting. Kirsten and Richard felt a strong emotional response to Open Arms’ mission. They recognised the huge challenges Open Arms faced, so they decided to support its life-saving work.

Open Arms, a beacon of hope in the Mediterranean, tirelessly saves refugees making perilous journeys across the sea. However, they cannot do it alone. The collaboration with the yachting community, spearheaded by OAUY, brings crucial resources and awareness to the mission.

Our partnership aims to use the yachting community’s skills to improve humanitarian aid. Merging the two worlds will raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in the yachting industry. It will also start collaborations, donations, and crew training. This work shows that, together, diverse communities can do great things. Innovative thinking can drive this.

Find out more about how you can get involved here.