We are crowd funding to secure funds to purchase a vessel to protect asylum seekers attempting to reach Australia by sea. Through accurate reporting, rescue operations, medical aid and advocacy we hope to ensure the human right to seek asylum is upheld.

What will the ship be doing?
- Responding to distress calls and reports of asylum seeker vessels in danger
- Providing rescue, medical treatment, legal advocacy and assisting asylum seekers with refugee status processing in a fair and fast manner as per International conventions.
- Ensuring accurate reporting of all asylum seeker rescue operations by the Australian Government, Customs, Border Patrol and Royal Australian Navy

Who is behind the project?
Currently this projected is at the initial stages, I Matt Watt have setup this crowd funding project in order to establish a not for profit organisation which will be the owner of the vessel. I need all the support I can get and welcome other volunteers to assist sharing this crowd funding project with your friends, family and online social networks.


What will the organisation be doing?
- We will work with existing asylum seeker support groups to further lobby the government for changes to the treatment of Asylum Seekers by the Australian Government
- Working with media partners, journalists and researchers to ensure all information on on-water asylum seeker actions are made public

Why do we need this vessel?
We are concerned about the indefinite mandatory detention of asylum seekers (including children) attempting to reach Australia by sea, offshore processing to asylum seekers, the reloading and turn and tow back of 'life rafts', the handing back of asylum seekers to their country of origin against the asylum seekers will and other unfair and inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and refugees. We believe that International laws, human right conventions and refugee processing conventions are not being adhered to by the Australian Government.

When will the vessel launch?
We have 45 days to raise the required funds in order to reach our crowd funding target. I estimate after reaching the target we should be able to have an operational vessel ready for launch in the early months of 2015.

More information about asylum seekers and Australia. You can visit the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre website for resources to help inform you about all the issues facing asylum seekers and the current asylum seeker debate, including mythbusters and factsheets.

Why the large $950,000 target?
We wish to secure a suitable vessel equipped with rescue equipment and medical facilities. We propose to either purchase a vessel for approximately $900,000, or for less and have it fitted with the necessary equipment. We would use $50,000 for our initial 6 months of operation and will rely on regular donations to continue our operation, however owning the vessel will ensure our ongoing expenses are lower than hiring a vessel.

Powered by volunteers Until the forming of an organisation and creation of a constitution, there is no intention for paid staff (however this may change depending on requirements an organisational consensus). Upon successfully reaching the crowd funding target we will reach out to our community for volunteers to help with the day to day operation of the organisation, crew for the ship, medical personnel,  legal & government lobbyists and electronic & mechanical persons. In the meantime, we require as much support as possible sharing the message and helping us reach the project goal.

The Federal Government has broken international laws and the International Refugee Convention on multiple occasions. Our organisation and vessel will comply with all Australian and International laws, in fact it will be our duty to ensure that the human rights and international refugee conventions are being upheld. Our ship will fly an Australia flag, be registered and comply with Australian maritime laws.

Our vision is to ensure the safety of Asylum Seekers at sea and ensuring they are given an opportunity to apply for asylum in Australia - and not treated inhumanely. Our hopes and aspirations would like to see funding from a compassionate future Australian Government.

Where did the Idea come from?
On 28 September 2013 Father Bob tweeted  "Is there a spare "Sea Shepherd" vessel, maybe renamed "Good Samaritan", which could monitor asylum seeker welfare....it works for whales!" 
With Father Bob's vision an huge support of the Australian public, I am starting a crowd funding project to raise start up funds to purchase a vessel and form a not for profit organisation helping asylum seekers in trouble in the seas surrounding Australia.

Volunteers needed
Can you help creating quality videos, scripts, logos or designs for the rewards? Let us know via the comments section of this page.

The Federal Government have a hard-line attack on persons seeking asylum in Australia - particularly those who have exhausted all avenues and attempt to reach Australia by fishing vessels. We anticipate discussions and Government lobbying to be successful in this project.

Our biggest challenge is reaching our target goal - but with your help, pledging a contribution and sharing with your networks, we can reach our target and succeed.