The Iuventa is a former fishing vessel built in 1962 at the shipyard Scheepswerf Vooruit in Zaandam. The ship was originally used for fishing until it was sold and converted into an offshore support ship. It was resold in late 2001 and renamed Alk Explorer. In 2016, the ship became property of the Jugend Rettet group, and was rebuilt for rescuing purposes. The ship operates in the Mediterranean, mainly assisting shipwrecked refugees. In July 2018, Iuventa released a documentary film about the ship and its missions.
On August 2, 2017, the Iuventa was seized by the Italian judiciary and the crew was put under investigation for "assistance with illegal immigration and migration." The ten crew members are under trial, which will begin in Autumn.
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