Anyone in danger. Our work is guided by a simple principle rooted in maritime law: when someone’s life is at risk, you act. We do not make distinctions based on nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, or any other characteristic. The only criterion is need.

No. SWB is apolitical and unaffiliated with any religion. We do not take political positions, and we do not represent any government, party, or faith community. Our work is purely humanitarian.

SWB has operated in Greece, Italy, Malta, Libya, Poland, and Ukraine. Our base is in Warsaw, Poland, but we operate wherever needed.

We operate primarily through private donations and crowdfunding campaigns. We do not have permanent institutional funding. If you or your organisation would like to become a donor, sponsor, or partner, contact us at contact@sailorswithoutborders.org.

We work in cooperation with other organisations where missions align, but SWB is independent. We have collaborated with partner NGOs in search and rescue, refugee support, and aid logistics across multiple countries.

At sea, our volunteer crews patrol continuously on small sailing vessels. When people in distress are spotted — in the water or on board an unseaworthy vessel — we follow a clear procedure:

 

• We immediately contact the Coast Guard and any nearby vessels to report the situation and our intended actions.
• We rescue the people in danger.
• We contact the Coast Guard again to report what has been done and what we plan next.
• A crew member goes ashore to the nearest port or to a local authorities vessel to complete the required legal documentation.
• We assess the health of the rescued people, provide first aid and support, transport them safely to shore, and hand them over to appropriate services — most often in coordination with other NGOs.
• We return to sea and continue the patrol.

We ensure they reach safety and are handed to appropriate services on shore. We do not manage long-term asylum or resettlement processes ourselves, but we cooperate with organisations that do, and we provide legal support where we are able.

Sailing always carries risk. SWB crews are trained and experienced, and they operate under the authority of a qualified captain who continuously assesses conditions. Safety — of the crew, the vessel, and the people being helped — is always the primary consideration. No operation proceeds when the risk is assessed as unacceptable.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, SWB has organised and dispatched humanitarian aid convoys — cars, vans, and TIR trucks carrying food, water, medicine, clothing, tools, and other essential supplies — to areas of greatest need inside Ukraine. We work in close coordination with local NGOs and authorities to ensure aid reaches where it is most needed.

Yes. We welcome volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds — sailors, lawyers, translators, psychologists, logisticians, field activists, and more. Visit our Volunteers page to read about the work and submit an application.

No. Sailing experience is valuable for sea operations, but SWB’s work covers many areas that have nothing to do with boats — aid logistics, legal support, translation, psychosocial work, and inland operations. Whatever your background, if you have skills that could be useful, we want to hear from you.

SWB organises basic training in safety, first aid, sailing, and legal procedures, in cooperation with partner organisations. Volunteers with existing professional qualifications in these areas are particularly valued. Training is provided before deployment.

SWB assists in organising safe travel and accommodation for deployments. The specifics depend on the operation and context. This is discussed with volunteers during the application process.

There is no fixed minimum. Some volunteers join for a week; others for months. Some return on a recurring basis whenever they are available. What matters is the quality of the contribution, not its duration.

As long as it is safe — for you, your crew, and your vessel. A captain cannot operate effectively without adequate rest and food. The exact schedule is always the captain’s decision, based on weather conditions, crew welfare, and vessel condition. There is no required minimum or maximum. Your judgement is the standard.

We are open to cooperation and expansion. If you are interested in establishing a local branch or partnership, contact us directly at contact@sailorswithoutborders.org to discuss what that might look like.

You can donate directly to SWB. For current donation options, contact us at contact@sailorswithoutborders.org or follow our social media channels, where we announce specific campaigns and needs.

Donations go directly toward operational costs — fuel, equipment, supplies, logistics, training, and the costs of running specific actions. SWB is a lean organisation, and we aim to keep administrative overhead minimal.

Yes. Corporate and institutional partnerships are welcome. Contact us at contact@sailorswithoutborders.org to discuss what partnership with SWB could involve.

Visit our Press page for contact details, downloadable materials, and background information. You can also reach us directly at contact@sailorswithoutborders.org. We are willing to provide interviews, background briefings, and where possible, access to operations.

Yes. We are experienced in working alongside other organisations and are always open to exploring cooperation where missions align. Contact us directly to discuss.