Students at Atlantic College in Wales are stepping up to help migrants after becoming deeply upset by the rising number of deaths in the Mediterranean and English Channel. These sixth form students are training with the Atlantic Pacific International Rescue charity, learning how to assist in life-saving sea rescue operations.
Robin Jenkins, the founder of the charity, explained that the situation in the Mediterranean is dire. During one rescue mission, his team saved 32 people, including a baby and three children traveling alone, from an unsafe rubber boat. Jenkins described the Mediterranean as “littered with skeletons,” highlighting how dangerous the journey has become for migrants.
Since 2018, over 147,000 people have made the dangerous journey to the UK on small boats. Many migrants are fleeing war, oppression, and extreme poverty, but they are often misled by smugglers. Jenkins explained that smugglers tell migrants the journey will be safe and easy and that Europe is welcoming. However, many migrants face harsh conditions, exploitation, and danger before and during their crossing.
Atlantic College students are determined to help. The college has a long history of involvement in sea rescue; in the 1960s, students invented the rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB), which has become a crucial tool in rescue missions. Today, students like Lucy, Finlay, and Efa are training to build, repair, and operate these boats as part of their course.
Lucy believes the issue of migration will grow worse with global warming, which forces more people to leave their homes. She pointed out that drowning is one of the world’s leading causes of death. Finlay emphasized the lack of resources to handle the refugee crisis, particularly in the Central Mediterranean, where overcrowded boats frequently sink.
Efa, another student, said she joined the program because of the increasing need for life-saving efforts as migration rises globally. The training teaches not only practical skills but also gives students a deeper understanding of the humanitarian crisis.
Theo Tran, a former Atlantic College student and now a rescue trainer, has been directly involved in operations in the Mediterranean. Originally from Vietnam, Theo said it was always his goal to help with the refugee crisis. While rescue missions can be physically and emotionally exhausting, he said the work is fulfilling because it saves lives and makes a difference.
The UK government has pledged to stop smugglers and tackle illegal crossings, but the students and charity workers at Atlantic College believe immediate action is necessary to save lives. The college’s program provides lifeboats, trained crew members, and the knowledge to conduct rescue missions, showing that even young people can play a vital role in addressing this global crisis.
The students’ efforts reflect a powerful message: they refuse to stand by while so many lives are lost at sea. By learning these critical rescue skills, they are taking meaningful steps to confront the tragic reality of migration and support those in need.