In the summer of 2018 the idea of Mediterranea was born; born out of indignation over the thousands of deaths in the Mediterranean and the closed-port policy.

In a very short time, people and associations working together in a civil society platform organised and put to sea the first and, as yet, only civil rescue vessel flying the Italian flag.

On the night of 3rd-4th October 2018, exactly 5 years after the tragic shipwreck where more than 360 people died off the coast of Lampedusa, the Mare Jonio set sail from the port of Augusta on its first monitoring and rescue mission.

Mediterranea has more than 40 Land Crews in different parts of Italy, Europe and the United States.
The crews act with complete autonomy in a horizontal organisational structure, whilst respecting the founding values of our association.
In networks with local human rights organisations, they constitute the cultural and political fabric of a welcoming society founded on the principle of solidarity.
The best way to play an active part in Mediterranea is to join your nearest Land Crew. This will unite you with hundreds of other activists who, every day, dedicate their time and passion to bringing about grassroots change in society.