Geo Barents Faces Dismantling as MSF Adjusts Operations Amid Hostile Environment
In the bustling port of Augusta, Sicily, the dismantling operations of the Geo Barents are currently underway. This vessel, utilized since 2021 by the international humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), played a crucial role in rescuing migrants in the turbulent waters of the Mediterranean. However, due to increasingly hostile measures from the Italian government towards non-governmental organizations (NGOs), MSF is now transitioning its operations to a smaller and less expensive ship.
The Geo Barents, which is not owned by the NGO, is set to be returned to its owner—the rental company that provided the vessel—by the end of January. As the ship prepares for this change, the crew is meticulously removing all equipment that was essential for rescue and care operations. These dismantling activities were chronicled in a special episode of the podcast "La Nave," which focuses specifically on the Geo Barents and its mission.
During the dismantling process, some items have been discarded, while others, such as food nearing its expiration, will be donated. However, most of the materials used for humanitarian work will be stored in a warehouse in Sicily until they can be transferred to the new ship. Among these items are approximately 640 life jackets, of which 50 are for children and 10 for infants, roughly matching the ship's total capacity. To ensure they are accounted for, the life jackets were spread out on the main open deck, where male survivors were accommodated, while women and children were housed on a smaller deck above. After counting, each life jacket was thoroughly washed and set out to dry.
The life jackets, soft and pliable, have been packed into large white plastic bags along with other transportable items, like gloves and diving suits, that support the search and rescue efforts. More fragile materials, however, have been placed in sturdy moving boxes that are currently crowding the Geo Barents. These boxes contain various items, including a kit for cutting the hair of rescued individuals.
The heaviest and bulkiest components to be transported are two rigid inflatable boats used for reaching distressed vessels. Dismantling these boats involves deflation and disassembly, after which they will be assessed for maintenance before being loaded onto a truck. The maintenance process follows a thorough cleaning of the boats from top to bottom. Additionally, tiny spare parts from these boats are being sorted and stored for future use.
Notably, the chemical toilets provided for rescued individuals present logistical challenges; these units will be sawed off their stands and re-utilized in other MSF projects around the globe. The handling of medications is particularly critical: vaccines must remain within a continuous cold chain, necessitating special refrigerated containers for transportation. Meanwhile, ordinary medicines have already been packed together with other medical supplies, and the onboard clinic, which was once teeming with resources, is now nearly empty.
The dismantling of the Geo Barents has been predominantly overseen by MSF employees. Meanwhile, the ship's crew, including the captain, officers, sailors, plumbers, and electricians, remain on board while they await the vessel's next journey. As of now, the Geo Barents is expected to set sail for Gibraltar around the end of January, marking the end of an essential chapter in its humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean.
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