Godetia returns to Belgium after Mediterranean rescue mission

The Belgian navy ship BNS Godetia is back in the port of Zeebrugge following a successful humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea. In nearly two months, the ship’s crew rescued 1,617 refugees from the sea, report various Belgian media.

In addition to crowds of relatives, the crew was welcomed at the port by defence secretary Steven Vandeput and state secretary for asylum and migration Theo Francken (both N-VA).

The Godetia departed from Belgium on 13 May to join the EU's Operation Triton, a mission to help Italy manage its border surveillance and support its humanitarian efforts while coping with migration streams. The main goal was to search for and rescue boat migrants, and often transfer them to the Italian authorities.

Because of the emotionally charged nature of the mission, the permanent crew of about 90 people was assisted by a medical team and a psychological and psychiatric team.

"We can be very proud of this successful mission," said Vandeput. "We took action at a time when additional help was needed.”

It remains to be seen whether similar operations will follow in the future, but according to Vandeput, Belgium is “open to the possibility of future collaborations”.