On board a Mediterranean migrant rescue boat

Thousands of people have died this year attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa.

The charity Medecins sans Frontieres is running its own rescue operation.

Erna Rijnierse, an MSF doctor aboard a rescue ship - or Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) - has been keeping a diary of her experience for us.

This is the story of her first three weeks at sea.