Liberty Grace Rescues Syrian Refugees

The bulk carrier Liberty Grace was transiting in ballast from the Suez Canal to Galveston, U.S. when it was directed by the Italian Coast Guard to render assistance to Syrian refugees aboard a Turkish fishing trawler which was adrift  120nm Southeast of Sicily last week.

At 0910 hrs November 17 Liberty Grace, which is operated by Liberty Maritime Corporation in the U.S., was on station and began boarding the 230+ refugees which included approximately 65 women and children.

The Italian Coast Guard remained on site watching the boarding for the safety and security of the crew of Liberty Grace as well as the safe embarkation of the refugees. 

The crew of the Liberty Grace established a feeding station on deck to provided food and water to the exhausted refugees. The vessel also provided blankets and clothing to those in need. 

Some of the refugees claimed they were doctors, engineers and other professionals, all seeking to escape Syria’s war torn towns of Aleppo, Homs and others. 

The refugees claimed that the captain and crew of the Turkish trawler set them on a course towards Italy and then deserted the refugees by embarking onto speed boats.

On November 18, 2014 all refugees safely disembarked at Porto Empedocle, Sicily where they were received on shore by United Nations High Council for Refugees along with the Red Cross and medical volunteers.