PROJECT

Arci returns to the sea.

With more than one million members, Arci returns to put its values into action in the Central Mediterranean — the very place Europe wants to turn into a deadly, impenetrable wall.
It does so through the T.O.M. project — All Eyes on the Mediterranean. A name that pays tribute to Tom Benetollo, pacifist and historic president of Arci.

The project was born from the initiative of the Arci club Sailingfor Blue LAB which, after years of coastal activism, chose to engage in a monitoring program in the Central Mediterranean with the support of Arci Nazionale.
In January 2025, the family grew with the participation of Sheep Italia. The Popular Health Laboratory also joined the project, coordinating medical activities on board.

Who we are

Arci
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A major national association for social and cultural promotion, founded in 1957.
A network of nearly 5,000 local clubs organizing recreational, cultural, and political activities around the values of antifascism, solidarity, democratic participation, and civil rights.
Historically committed to migration issues, it promotes reception, legal support, and pathways to integration.

Sailingfor Blue LAB
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The first seafaring Arci club: its operational headquarters are its sailing boats.
It was born from the union of Aganoor APS and Unavelaper ASD, two organizations for which sailing has always been a tool to break down every barrier.
Before joining Arci, it sailed along the Mediterranean coasts in search of experiences in social, environmental, and cultural innovation.

Sheep Italia
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Changing the world, one person at a time.
Founded in 2019, this non-profit organization works in the field of human rights, reaching out to people whose lives have taken a difficult turn.
After years spent alongside those living on the margins of our cities, it has now come aboard toward the margins of a Europe that seems to care more about imaginary borders than about people.

Laboratorio di salute popolare
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TOM’s medical partner, responsible for healthcare activities during the missions.
Founded in Bologna, it works to make healthcare a real right for everyone through self-managed clinics, support desks, and active solidarity projects.
The Popular Health Laboratory is also responsible for selecting and training the medical personnel taking part in the missions.

Why Mediterranean?

It is one of the deadliest borders in the world.
Here, the systematic violation of human rights is undermining Europe’s legal civilization and the founding values of our Constitutions.

And then there is the law of the sea.
It lies at the heart of all international maritime law and dates back thousands of years: no one is left behind when they are in danger.

«Ogni Stato deve esigere che il comandante di una nave che batte la sua bandiera presti soccorso a chiunque sia trovato in mare in condizioni di pericolo.»
— Art. 98, Convenzione di Montego Bay, 1982

The structure

Our boat

We operate with Nihayet Garganey VI, a Grand Soleil 56 — a 17-meter sailing vessel made available to TOM free of charge.

But however well-equipped and seaworthy it may be, a sailing boat is not a dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) asset.
For this reason, we have chosen to adopt an approach we call Search and Relay: we locate vessels in distress, relay their calls for help, stabilize the situation by providing life jackets, water, and food to survivors, and assist people while waiting for the arrival of a SAR unit — from the NGO fleet or the authorities.

Only in cases of extreme urgency — as maritime law requires — do we proceed directly with rescue operations.

There are nine people on board: the captain, the mission lead, one person dedicated to welcoming and caring for survivors, two medical workers, three sailor-rescuers, and one communications officer.

The crews and the teams

Professional sailors, medical personnel, and people dedicated to welcoming and caring for those who survive.
Around the operations at sea, five main areas work together:

Board — the steering body, with representatives from Arci, Sailingfor, and Sheep Italia.

OPS — sea operations and onshore mission support.

Communication — press office, digital presence, communication materials, and media projects.

Legal Team — immigration, maritime, civil, and criminal lawyers who support the captain and mission lead during operations and help prevent the legal challenges that a project like TOM faces within an increasingly repressive framework on borders and migration.

Finance — budgeting, cash flow, and fundraising, working closely with OPS and Communication.

Medical Team — coordinated by the Popular Health Laboratory, responsible for the medical and nursing aspects of the missions.

Sea missions

We are at sea ten days each month.

We relay distress calls coming from Alarm Phone, civilian aircraft, or radio channel 16, and request the intervention and coordination of the authorities of countries that provide places of safety.

Then we sail toward people in distress, coordinating with NGOs operating at sea or with the Coast Guard to provide support and stabilize the situation: safe life jackets, medical assistance, and basic necessities.

When necessary, rescue operations — which are an obligation for every vessel at sea under maritime law, international treaties, and, simply, according to us as well.

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