Hundreds of people donated almost€35,000 to the Migrant Offshore Aid Station in response to an appeal for funds to aid its mission of saving migrants from drowning.

Moas, which is equipped with a 40-metre-long ship, two drones, two rescue RHIBs and a large crew of experienced rescuers and doctors, saved about 3,000 men, women and children during 60 days of patrols in the Mediterranean Sea this summer.

The NGO, which operates from Malta, needs about €400,000 a month to run its operations. It has so far been funded solely by Christopher and Regina Catrambone, a young Malta-based Italo-American couple in their 30s. However, the mission is dependent on public participation and can no longer be funded by one couple with limited means.

Moas director Brigadier Martin Xuereb, former head of the Armed Forces of Malta, said: “The response so far has been fantastic. It is great to see so many compassionate people around the world willing to share their resources to help those who are most in need and at their most vulnerable. We are grateful for every donation.”

Most of the donations have arrived from Germany but also from countries like Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands. There was also one donation all the way from China.

Moas, which is set to become the world’s first crowd-funded search and rescue service, is dedicated to saving lives at sea by cooperating with national and regional authorities.

Donations can be made via www.moas.eu/10/Donate.