Banksy is funding a boat to rescue refugees at sea

As one of the most notorious street artists on the planet, anonymous British graffiti virtuoso Banksy is no stranger to bold public statements. In his nearly three-decade-long career, his distinctive style has captured the public imagination and has made him into a hugely significant pop-culture figure. His latest project, however, may well be his most important yet. 

In the midst of the current migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, it has been revealed that the Bristol-born artist has helped to fund the independent lifeboat Louise Michel, helping to rescue dozens of people attempting to cross the sea. Paid for by the sale of Banksy artwork, the bright pink vessel is a reminder of the impact that art can have in the “real” world. 

According to The Guardian newspaper, Banksy’s involvement in the project dates back to 2019, when he contacted NGO ship captain Pia Kemp. In an email which Kemp originally assumed was a joke, the artist wrote:

“Hello Pia, I’ve read about your story in the papers. You sound like a badass. I am an artist from the UK and I’ve made some work about the migrant crisis, obviously I can’t keep the money. Could you use it to buy a new boat or something? Please let me know. Well done. Banksy.” 

Watch as Banksy allegedly 'caught on camera' painting new Christmas mural:

The Louise Michel itself measures around 30 metres in length and has a top speed of 28 knots, which Pia hopes will allow it to “outrun the so-called Libyan coastguard before they get to boats with refugees and migrants and pull them back to the detention camps in Libya”. 

A statement on the ship’s website reads:

“It might seem incredible there is need for a homemade emergency vehicle in one of Europe’s busiest waterways, but there is. The migrant crisis means that European states are instructing their Coastguard not to answer distress calls from ‘non-Europeans’ leaving desperate people to drift helplessly at sea. To make matters worse authorities prevent other boats from providing assistance, arresting crews and impounding boats that do.”

According to the BBC, the boats purpose is"to uphold maritime law and rescue anyone in peril without prejudice".

"We on board the Louise Michel believe we are all individuals, nationality should not make a difference to what rights one has and how we treat each other," it says on its website.

"We answer the SOS call of all those in distress, not just to save their souls - but our own."

The site also reveals that, in addition to funding the project, Banksy also provided additional decoration by painting the boat bright pink with a fire extinguisher.