Lighthouse Relief is an NGO which helps people who just crossed the border from Turkey to Europe.

It was my first volunteering experience so I arrived with an open mindset, ready to help on the daily tasks:
– Emergency response: 24/7 boat’s spotting and landing assistance
– Transit camp: transport, clothing, help, management
– Environmental issues: beach cleaning and upcycling

Within a month, I became a team leader. My role was to lead the night spotting teams, coordinate the operations with the field coordinator, and train the new volunteers.

Once I learnt the tools and methods, I shared to the coordinator ways to put my skills into work and improve the NGO. The main problem observed was the learning curve of new volunteers who had to follow hours of trainings before to be operational.
They had to master notions such as “Nautical Miles” and “degrees” to share coordinates of spotted boats to the Search & Rescue boat. This vital assessment could change a “dangerous operation on the rocky cliff” into a “safe landing at the port”.

I worked on different project in a month:

– I revamped the Standard Operation Procedures handbook: used pictograms, tables and pictures to deliver a crystal clear enhanced information.
– I created a graphic map of the area implementing spotting tools to help volunteers during their shifts and improve collaboration between landing actors.
– I established a new spotting method by using a scale to measure distances on the night vision binoculars. This became part of the training exercise with the rescue boat. The margin of error to evaluate the distance of a boat from the land is now less than 400 meters (0.2NM) for a spotting area of more than 50km²
– I worked on a satellite view mapping the trails to the coast line in case of difficult landing. It was in collaboration with other volunteers: they created the trails and marked them with life jackets (and their reflective fabric) to improve landing operations at night.
– I implemented a logbook and best practice standard for the use of batteries (brands, capacity, age). We use around 20 -rechargeable- batteries per night for the night-vision binoculars. The wrong use of batteries can end a night shift in the middle of the night.

“Spotting is the most essential life-saving measure Lighthouse provides for safe-passage, and Cédric significantly added to this operation. Creating maps and distance references, Cédric’s guide refined our spotting methods and single handedly established the training strategy and standard operating procedures we continue to use today. Cédric is self-driven and an effortless leader, able to apply his creativity and strengths in any context.”
Jenna Smith – Emergency Response Officer

I created an artwork (1mm black marker & plywood – 110x235cm) called Collective memory. It relates the story of hundreds of locals and volunteers from Skala Sikamineas through 624 words written between a myriad of black lines.

Lighthouse Relief uses the documents for their volunteers and has a turnover of +180 volunteers per year.
The documents has been shared and adapted for all the Search & Rescue NGOs of the island. It is now being used by all the SAR NGOs on Lesvos.

“Campfire is a rotating team of 40 volunteers working part time in the field of Search And Rescue on the South shore.
Only a few of us are SAR professionals so a good documentation is crucial for the success and safety of the operations.
Cedric transformed the knowledge we wanted to share into a comprehensive document. Eleven pages of crucial information presented in a way that professionals and non-professionals can easily understand, remember and apply.”
Nora – Campfire