Humanity 2
The Humanity 2 is a sailing vessel built by the Dutch shipyard Kempers and launched in 1985 as the Esmeralda. The sailing yacht is a one-off build and remained in private ownership until 2025.
The two-masted vessel is 23.89 metres long, has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure. Under full sail, the ship reaches a speed of up to 9 knots; in calm conditions, it is powered by a 320 hp engine.
After many years in private ownership, SOS Humanity purchased the sailing ship at the end of 2025. Between November 2025 and June 2026, volunteers converted the Humanity 2 in Licata (Sicily) into a modern rescue vessel. It now features a seating area for over 100 rescued people, a spacious on-board clinic, a safe haven for women and children, and a well-equipped galley.
As a sailing ship, the Humanity 2 is versatile and particularly cost-effective and sustainable to operate.
FAQ Humanity 2
What kind of ship is the Humanity 2?
The Humanity 2 is a sailing vessel just under 24 metres in length. It has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure and is powered, when necessary, by a 320 hp engine. Between November 2025 and June 2026, the Humanity 2 was converted into a modern rescue vessel in Licata (Sicily). It now features a seating area for over 100 rescued people, a spacious on-board clinic, a safe haven for women and children, and a well-equipped galley.
What are the advantages of the Humanity 2?
In its future area of operation between Tunisia and Lampedusa, there are far too few rescue vessels – the Humanity 2 is a vital addition there, strengthening the capacities to rescue people in distress at sea and to record human rights violations such as pushbacks. As a sailing vessel, the Humanity 2 is highly versatile and particularly cost-effective and sustainable in operation.
How many rescued people can the Humanity 2 accommodate?
The Humanity 2 can take over 100 rescued people on board. In acute emergencies, it can accommodate even more for a short period. During operations, there are 10 crew members on board.
