Our work
At the Foundation of Humanitarian Action at Sea, our work is centred on providing practical tools, data, and insights to support maritime actors in navigating the complexities of maritime rescue. From addressing operational challenges to supporting the coordination of diverse actors, our aim is to provide maritime stakeholders the tools and information they need to promote the safety of life at sea. Whether it’s through data-driven analysis, guidance, or curated resources, FHAS bridges the gap between policy and real-world maritime operations.
Humanitarian Action at Sea: Operational Challenges, Collaborative Responses
Mass Rescue at Sea : A Global Perspective
Understanding the Duty to Rescue at Sea: Legal and Humanitarian Perspectives
The practice of maritime rescue is as old as seafaring itself. Many of the earliest international agreements on maritime commercial practice codified a legal duty to assist vessels in distress.
Navigating humanitarian action at sea: Maritime migration and the duty to assist
The Rise in Maritime Migration
Maritime migration is on the rise across much of the world, from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Aden to the Andaman Sea and other waterways. The growing scale in migration has exposed gaps in preparedness and response, often resulting in devastating consequences. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost in shipwrecks, many of which remain ‘invisible’ due to lack of data.
Maritime rescue: An overlooked priority
While political debates often focus on asylum, the need for rescue operations is too often neglected. International law mandates the duty to assist vessels in distress, but commercial and NGO vessels face challenges, including legal uncertainties, lack of guidance, and financial pressures.
The importance of information: Ending invisible shipwrecks
The nature of maritime migration means that reliable data is often difficult to ascertain. FHAS recognises that solving problems requires understanding them and works to strengthen information and data sources on maritime movements.
The role of FHAS
The Foundation for Humanitarian Action at Sea seeks to address these challenges by fostering dialogue amongst stakeholders, filling gaps in knowledge and guidance, and supporting maritime actors.
Assisting migrants at sea:
experiences and perceptions
We developed a survey to gather insights from seafarers and maritime professionals on how maritime migration impacts them. The goal is to raise awareness and provide decision-makers with greater visibility on ways to better protect all sea users.
Explore partnership opportunities
Partnering with the Foundation for Humanitarian Action at Sea provides a unique opportunity to support constructive dialogue on key maritime issues. As we continue to develop practical tools, research, and solutions for complex maritime challenges, we welcome collaborations with organisations interested in a vision of safer seas and effective maritime rescue operations. Whether through knowledge exchange, resource sharing, or strategic cooperation, there are numerous ways to engage with this work.
