Crowdfunding Target: $950,000 (AUD)
Current Pledged: $14,290 by 236 supporters
Current Rewards: 120 Tickets to the launch events, 155 T-Shirts and more
Started: 23 July 2014 at 05:35 am AEST
Deadline: 07 September 2014 at 05:35 am AEST
~ Death trading boat chasers or human beings with a conscience & a beating heart? ~
“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.” Matt Watt
What will the ship be doing?
“The vessel will respond to distress calls and reports of asylum seeker vessels in danger. We will provide rescue,
medical treatment, legal advocacy and assisting asylum seekers with refugee status processing in a fair and fast
manner as per International conventions. We will also be ensuring accurate reporting of all asylum seeker rescue
operations by the Australian Government agencies.”
Who is behind the project?
“I set up 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 their friends, family and online social networks.” “I work with computers, have a passion for
electronics and I am the Secretary and CTO of the WikiLeaks Party in Australia (This crowdfunding project is not
associated with the WikiLeaks Party). I am an online rights activist, with a passion for fighting for causes both behind
the keyboard and on the street – this will be the first time I take to the water and I am looking forward to this
project.”
What will the organisation be doing?
“The organisation 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. We will also be 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.”
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
“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. We have
already had multiple doctors, nurses, translators and ship crew volunteer for the Good Samaritan Vessel.”
“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.”
Website: http://www.pozible.com/project/183965 (or short URL http://ship.gs )
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ship.org.au
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodsamaritan_v
Referenced quotes in subtitle
“I’m sure they’re not doing it deliberately but unwittingly they are giving aid and comfort to the people smugglers … to a trade in death,” Tony
Abbott, Prime Minister
Mr Morrison said the asylum seekers refused to talk to the Indian high commissioner and lawyers – or “boat chasers” as he called them – had
advised the group not to accept a deal to be returned to India. Scott Morrison, Minister for Border Farce as reported by News Corp
“Abbott calling people who don’t want boats turned back ‘traders in death’. I call us human beings with a conscience & a beating heart.” Kon
Karapanagiotidis Founder & CEO Asylum Seeker Resource Center
Matt Watt
