"We are very happy that we have a port of safety."

"A rescue is only complete when people are disembarked in a port of safety." 

"The boat eventually ran out of fuel at the exact point between the Maltese and Italian waters. The likelihood of that happening is very, very slim, but that's exactly what happened."

"They look so young. I can’t image these boys and girls undertaking this journey by themselves. Travelling across the desert and being in detention in Libya before finally being pushed out on a boat."

“There were 25 people onboard including six women. We understand that they were pushed out by the smugglers at around 1am… they’ve been almost 34 hours at sea.”

"It will be very challenging, but I feel ready"

‘Talking to people, understanding where they’ve come from, and the ordeal they’ve gone through, their stories are truly shocking.'

'Working in these sorts of environments, you can't really fully prepare yourself."

‘I can’t tell you how it feels to be searching for 140 people in the middle of the sea… it’s been a real mix of emotions over the last few days… I’m exhausted.’