equipment and procedures catalogue

LAMPEDUSA LAMP RESCUE AGENCY

equip uipm ment and pr proce oced dur ure es ruleb rule book

Autonomous Region of Sicily Regional Department of Immigration — D’Ippolito Publisher 92010 Lampedusa (AG) - V. Benedetto Croce 15 2035 All rights reserved

According to the Agency’s statute, all titles are written with double translation: the local Sicilian dialect and international European English language

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE FLEET AND ITS EQUIPMENT “i buatti ed i lur’ arnisi” part A - VESSELS “buatti” 1. O’PISCARIGGIO 2. ‘A LANCITIEDDA

part B — EQUIPMENT “arnisi” 1. ‘A NASSA CHI GALLIGGIA stand-by float a. U’PICCIRIDDU b. LU ADU’LTU c. A’FAMIGGHIA 2.A’BUNACA A SARVARI lifevest uniform 3. A’ VALIGETTA PI CHIDDI A MODDU overboard rescue briefcase 4. O’ SIGNALI D’U LUONGU MARI high-sea marking signs

a. O’ CONSIGGHI D’U VIAGGIU b. O’ CONSIGGHI D’URGENZA c. DIRIZIUNI I DISTINAZIUNI 5. ‘A BUTTIGGHIA D’U’ VIANDANTE traveller’s floating flask 6. ‘A BANNERA D’AGEZZIA the agency’s flag

NOTES

THE FLEET AND ITS EQUIPMENT “i buatti ed i lur’ arnisi”

part A — VESSELS “buatti”

All vessels models come from traditional fishing boats.

Each of them has been shaped by centuries of fishing in the southern Italian sea, designed by the most skilled connoisseurs of the sea and its rules, to catch a specific fish through a particular procedure.

They have gone through a redesign process aimed at making them suitable for new needs: monitoring waters and providing help to immigrant boats attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean sea.

The models here collected are presented with the name of the traditional vessel they descend from and are associated with a brief compared description of the original and new context of application.

1.

O’PISCARIGGIO open sea fishing boat

Larger boat, designed for fishing in open sea.

The traditional vessel has an average overall length of 15 to 20 metres and wooden hull.

On th eback, it is characterized by tall rigging with a net pulley on the top, to pull nets in and out of the vessel. On the front, it is usually provided with a small cabin, where the control room is located.

2.

‘A LANCITIEDDA small motor or oar boat

Basic fishing boat, also called “gozzo”, with average overall length of 5 to 8 metres and wooden hull.

Traditionally equipped with oars, it is now diesel powered. The basic model can be slightly longer (10 mt) and fitted with a small wooden cabin.

It supports the bigger boat, working in parallel and being assigned smaller subsidiary tasks.

part B — EQUIPMENT “arnisi”

The “nassa” is a traditional fishing net that relies on hand-woven wicker cages, positioned on the bottom of the sea at night and collected the morning after.

The fish gets inside the net through a small hole, attracted by the bait placed inside, and is then trapped since it can’t get out. The materials and shapes typical of the “nassa” have been redesigned in collaboration with the few “nassari” (craftsmen specifically skilled in making these nets) left on the island, for a totally new purpose.

History tells that most shipwrecks happen at night or far away from Italian waters, which makes it harder for the Agency’s Patrols to intervene soon enough. A series of stand-by floats allows victims of shipwreck to hold temporarily to small platforms, waiting for rescue to come. They are made with hand-woven natural fiber, which is lightweight and durable in salty water. The fibre is combined with inflatables - derived from industrial buoys and hand-stitched by local seamstresses - fitted inside the hollow structure and tied to it.

1. 窶連 NASSA CHI GALLIGGIA stand-by float

wickers

float

weight

Just like the fishing pots, floats are carried up to high sea and then positioned.

The number can vary, according to the size of the boat, from dozens to hundreds of traps. Each cage is connected to the other, at a regular distance , creating a long line.

The beginning and the end of the overall area are signaled by a float with a little signal flag.

The floats are designed in different shapes in order to better fit the requests of the shipwrecked: - a taller stool shape for adult men and women - a larger platform with a shorter seat for unaccompanied children - a larger, rounded hollow sofa-like shape for pregnant women or parents with children

User Children are often sent to attempt the sea crossing on their own. The trip is too expensive and families can afford to pay smugglers for only one place on their old overcrowded boats.

Tho handles on each side of the seat must be hold tightly in case of rough sea.

A safety seat belt is tied to the handles and must be fastened at all times.

handle

The larger mesh on the upper part makes it easier for the child to maintain a still position by positioning the foot inbetween the recesses of the structure.

safety seat belt

a.

U’PICCIRIDDU designed for children seat belt

handles wickers

float

rope

User Young women and men constitute the larg-

er amount of people getting on clandestine boats. They are looking for stable living conditions, far away from war and conflict. Most of them have left families home and are willing to continue university studies they had to interrupt or find a better job.

A series of handles are arranged at different hights all over the structure.

They function as foot rests and are positioned to suit potentially different size of the person seating on the float.

footrest

b.

LU ADU’LTU suitable for adults footrest wickers

float

rope

User Young women with small children are the

first members of a family escaping if their country of origin is facing war. When migrants boats capsize, mothers and children are often separed, making the identification procedure much harder. It is then crucial to keep them together in the most chaotic moment, right after having abandoned the boat.

thicker mesh

larger floating surface

c.

A’FAMIGGHIA suitable for families

The briefcase is part of the standard equipment provided to each officier of the Agency.

The frame is made of natural fibre, while the body is made of hand knitted fishing net. This combination of rigid frame and flexible net is the same applied by fishermed in the builing of “nassa” fishing pots.

It is provided with three handles, and not only for higher manageability. The briafcase works as a boarding ladder - flexible piece of net / ladder used to allow passengers overboard to climb in the boat -.

The handles function as three bigger stirrups and, together with the net mesh, they work as a sereis of elements to which people being overboard can hold to climb on board.

The briefcase is generally tied to the outside of the hull and it gets opened whenever a capsizing boat is approached to allow migrants to get as soon as possible on the Agency’s vessels.

2.

A’ VALIGETTA PI CHIDDI A MODDU overboard rescue briefcase wickers

cork

net

stirrup

stirrup

stirrup

The Lampedusa Border Agency acts with all means given by local skills and knowledge to provide migrant boats a safer crossing of the Mediterranean sea.

Most boats are filled with people by smugglers who set the route and then abandon the vessel, leaving it with no control. The majority of clandestine travellers can’t swim and has no experience with neither sea environment nor navigation.

By adapting the traditional marking flags, positioned together with small floats to indicate the presence of fishing gear, the Agency has installed a series of information signs along the most crowded smugglers’ routes.

3.

O’ SIGNALI D’U LUONGU MARI high-sea marking signs radar reflector canvas flag

float with agency emblem and reference number

By giving direction, best practices and emergency numbers, the aim is to make every migrant aware of the risks he/she is running into. Basic suggestions on how to conduct the boat are given in order to ensure the sea crossing to be as safe as possible, before calling or when the Agency Patrols are on their way.

During years of service, the Agency members have collected extended knowledge of good and potentially dangerous behaviours.

All messages have then been developed to address the most recurring situations faced my clandestines during decades of attempted sea crossing. All floats are numbered and provided with a radar reflector, in order for the Agency to monitor their state and position.

They can as well function as quick rescue points, since their position is indicated on a general map.

a.

AVOID RUSHING FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER b. a.

b. c. c.

EASIER TO TIP THE BOAT OVER

Migrant ships are constantly overloaded, which makes them very unstable. A slight change of position of many people can easily cause the boat to tip over.

a.

NO SITTING IN LOWER DECK

a.

b.

b.

c.

c.

NO WAY OUT IN CASE OF SINKING

Migrants are pushed to fill up small boats by occupying both higher and lower decks. Lower decks are way more dangerous, since there’s less breathable air and in case of sinking they are immediately filled up with water.

a.

NO FREE FLAMES AS SOS SIGNALS

b. a.

b. c. c.

IT WILL ONLY START A FIRE

Many shipwrecks are consequence of fires. In the attempt of signaling their position to other boats, passengers aften do naively light up blankets. Being their boats made of wood, the fire easily spreads, causing the vessel to sink.

a. a.

b.

IF SINKING DIAL +39 0922 4087886 b.

The number indicated refers to the Lampedusa logistic centre, callecting all emergency requests and coordinating adequate intervention.

a. a.

b.

APPROACHING

RESTING AREA

b.

Being migrants without any sailing experience nor a radar or GPS, informations are supplied in a way that does not require any technical knowledge. When this sign is displayed, passengers should look around: the area can be spotted with naked eye.

a. a.

APPROACHING

b.

ARM FLOATS LINE b.

Being migrants without any sailing experience nor a radar or GPS, informations are supplied in a way that does not require any technical knowledge. When this sign is displayed, passengers should look around: the area can be spotted with naked eye.

The traditional ring shape of the “pilgrim’s flask” is exploited for the double function of water bottle and floating device.

Traditionally made of ceramic, it has been redesigned with thick water resistent canvas, in order to better adapt to the marine environment.

Lightweight, when filled with water it functions as a flask; when filled with air it works as a float. The size of the ring allows the user to push it up to the forearm and use it as a floating arm band.

5.

‘A BUTTIGGHIA D’U’ VIANDANTE traveller’s floating flask waterproof fabric

Agency pattern

cork

passive rescue ARM FLOATS LINE

arm floats line

floating sign

Floating lines are left in open sea.

They can provide help to passengers on a boat in distress as well as represent a safety measure for migrants attempting the trip. The floats are not connected to each other by corks but there’s a single rope holding them together by being tied to a floating marking sign. Untying the knot, all flasks are available to be used independently. The number needed to float depends on the swimming experience of the passenger as well as age and weight.

active rescue RESCUE THROWLINE

The use of empty bottles as DIY floats is here normalized as a simple and effective system for people with swim difficulties.

The double necked flask allows to use it as a modular component, creating a bigger floating object. These modular structures can be thrown by Agency boats as emergency tools to ease the condition of those who need rescue.

6.

‘A BANNERA D’AGEZZIA the agency’s flag

Flag to be placed on any boat enlisted in the agency.

All vessels sailing under this flag are certified as part of the Agency’s fleet.

Finished printing in June 2035

by D’Ippolito Publisher 92010 Lampedusa (AG) - V. Benedetto Croce 15