Banksy’s Boat in Burriana

The mystery artist, Banksy, has financed a rescue ship to save migrants in the Mediterranean.

The former French navy boat, now named Louise Michel after the French teacher and anarchist who was prominent during the Paris Commune, was docked in Burriana, Castellón for over 40 days and 40 nights, and painted pink by the artists along with one of his graffiti, ‘Girl with Balon’.

In September 2019 Banksy wrote to NGO rescue worker Pia Klemp, stating: “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,”

Since then the boat has rescued hundreds of refugees.