At 5pm on Oct 15, London artist Lucy Wood sailed into Surrey Docks at the end of a painfully slow 4,000-mile journey from the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa. She was in a little boat, 'TO6411', that had for its previous journey carried 36 trafficked North African migrants to Italy.
Having set off from Lampedusa on World Refugee Day (June 20), on her journey to draw attention to the plight of migrants, Wood was on the boat on Oct 11 when the news came out that more than 350 African migrants had drowned off Lampedusa when their overloaded vessel capsized.
TO6411 is now safely moored in South Docks Marina. It opens to the public for four weekends, during which you'll be able to talk to the artist. You're encouraged to sit in the boat and study the 'found' items Wood has collected, including personal effects left by the migrants. TO6411 is tied up to the pontoon nearest the Marina's offices, in berth A1.
The website has more information about the project, and includes a donations page – funds go to UNHCR.