Join the crew

Join Aurora

Aurora is a 14-meter rescue boat that has been adapted for use in the Central Mediterranean. It can reach a top speed of 25 knots. This makes it one of the fastest vessels in the civilian search and rescue fleet in the central Mediterranean.

The crew will be on standby near our port of operation in order to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. Each rotation lasts 4 weeks. The crew of 6 need to be be prepared for a variety of rescue scenarios.

Das kleinste Schiff der Flotte Aurora auf dem wellenden Mittelmeer.

Interested in joining the crew on Aurora? 

Please read carefully:

Given the small size of the vessel and crew everyone is expected to help with manoeuvres (e.g. mooring), guest care and basic first aid. 

Communication needs to be clear and constructive at all times. Working language on board of our ships is English, additional language skills are welcome.

Sea sickness can be a real issue on Aurora, so please consider that when applying.

Desired skills for all crew:

  • Medical experience and/or first aid skills
  • Nautical experience
  • Experience with living together with a small yet diverse group of people
  • Experience of work in context of migration or understanding of the Central Mediterranean context
  • Previous Search-and-Rescue (SAR) experience
  • Experience with crowd management
  • Language skills other than English – especially relevant are Italian, French, Arabic, Farsi, Bengali, Tigrinya, Somali, Fula

Below you find a more detailed description of each role, including position specific requirements and desired skills.

Unfortunately we are not able to accept every applicant for a position on board. This usually has to do with the limited space and the special skills needed on board. We would like to ask for your understanding in advance.

Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have a question about crewing or a specific position: crew@sea-watch.org. Please also refer to our FAQs.

We are very happy about all your offers of support!

The following positions are available on Aurora

Head of Mission

The Head of Mission facilitates communication and working together within the crew.

Skipper

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the Crew and vessel throughout the operation.

Mechanic

The Mechanic is responsible for maintenance and repairs of the engine.

Guest Focus

The Guest Focus is the crew member responsible for establishing and maintaining first communication with travellers in distress at sea.

Deck/Driver

The “Deck / Driver” acts as main deckhand on board and drives the smaller rescue boat (SIB) which we launch for rescue operations.

Medic

The Medic on board is responsible for having an overview and providing the best care to people in distress at sea.

Join the 
Sea-Watch 5

More than 20 volunteers work on board our Sea-Watch 5. Each operation, including preparation and follow-up, lasts 5 weeks. To be able to carry out our operations, we need people with special and very different skills. On these pages, you will find detailed information about the different tasks on board.

Gruppenfoto der Crew im Hafen, im Hintergrund die Sea-Watch 5

If you want to apply for a position on a Sea-Watch operation, you should be able to imagine living and working for 5 weeks in a confined space, in stressful situations and with many unknown and very different people.

Unfortunately we are not able to accept every applicant for a position on board. This usually has to do with the limited space and the special skills needed on board. We would like to ask for your understanding in advance.

Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have a question about crewing or a specific position: crew@sea-watch.org. Please also refer to our FAQs.

We are very happy about all your offers of support!

The following positions are available on the Sea-Watch 5

Head of Mission

The Head of Mission facilitates communication and working together within the crew.

Chief Engineer

As chief engineer you will be responsible for the engine room.

2nd / 3rd Engineer

As a 2nd/3rd engineer you will be working closely together with the chief engineer on the main engines, generators, pumps and compressors.

Ship’s Electrician / IT

As a ship electrician you will be responsible for the electrical and IT systems on the ship.

Guest Coordinator

As a guest coordinator you organize all support for our guests while they are on board.

Cook

As a cook you are responsible for ordering the required food for the time on the ship plus food for guests according to a fixed food plan.

RHIB Team Leader (RTL)

As RIB Team Leader (RTL), you will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing all RIB related activities on board the ship; preparing for, planning, executing and debriefing all fast rescue boat operations during the mission.

RHIB Driver

As a rescue boat (RIB) driver you are, together with the bosun, responsible for the RIBs on board.

Medic

As part of a four-person medical team, you will look after the health of the crew and guests.

Cultural Mediator

One of the primary roles of the Cultural Mediator will be as part of the rescue boat (RHIB) team.

Media Coordinator

As the Field Media Coordinator (FMC), you are responsible for visually documenting the work on the ship.

Protection Officer

As Protection Officer (PO) you will be part of the Guest Care team, in charge of the well-being of our guests on board.

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Sea-Watch e.V. – Civil sea rescue of refugees
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