Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here

Ocean Viking in position 33 33 N 012 16 E receives an email from Alarm Phone addressed to Tripoli JRCC, ITMRCC and MTRCC, stating that a boat with approximately 50 shipwrecked persons onboard, including women and children, is taking water.

Location: 33 43 N 013 27 E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here. 

Read the whole report about this operation here. 

“Dear Sirs/Madams,
At 2300B MV Ocean Viking is in contact vhf ch.08 with MISKAR GASFIELD platform. They informed us that they have recovered 68 persons on their deck. They also informed us they are not in contact with Malta RCC.

At 2305B MV Ocean Viking called via Sat Phone Malta RCC (0035621809279), updating about the above case. We inform them that our ship has the capacity to recover all of the people, to provide medical care and to transfer them to a place of safety in a reasonable period of time and we are equipped with a Hospital and a Morgue. Malta RCC responds that for Malta RCC there is no need of assistance from M/V Ocean Viking. And that Malta RCC will contact directly with MISKAR GASFIELD to arrange the disembarkation of survivors.

At 2310B MV Ocean Viking is in contact vhf ch.08 with MISKAR GASFIELD platform to update on the above situation. MISKAR GASFIELD copies the information and thanks M/V Ocean Viking for the willingness of assistance and the support.”

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 100 people on board, no lifejackets, children, women, all exposed to the elements.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

The target is about 65NM away. ETA about 6h30m.

In position 33 20’4N 013 54’2 Ocean Viking alters course to a position approximately 12NM away.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with MTJRCC and and LYJRCC in copy, requesting a Place of Safety for the 122 remaining rescued persons onboard.

1 person was medically evacuated from the Ocean Viking by the Italian patrol boat CP 324.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with MTJRCC and and LYJRCC in copy, requesting a Place of Safety for the 123 remaining rescued persons onboard.

Ocean Viking sends a Maritime Incident Report to MTJRCC and ITMRCC via email, requesting a Place of Safety for the 123 remaining rescued persons onboard.

Ocean Viking in position: 34 50 N 012 32 E

Ocean Viking in position 34 47.0 N 012 29.6 E

Ocean Viking sends a Maritime Incident Report to LYJRCC via email, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC in copy, requesting a Place of Safety for the 58 rescued persons onboard.

Ocean Viking sends a Maritime Incident Report to LYJRCC via email, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC in copy, requesting a Place of Safety for the 25 rescued persons onboard.

Ocean Viking position: 34 10.2N 012 24.6E

Reported distress position: N34°33. 24 E012°51.00

Ocean Viking in position 34-19.5N 012-05.2E

The Inmarsat distress text message sent to all ships transiting in the central Mediterranean alerts to a wooden boat in distress with approximately 80 people.

Reported distress position: 34 18N 012 15E

Ocean Viking in position: 34 05.3’N 011 59E

The boat is reported to carry approximately 50 people onboard.

Reported distress position: 33 54N 011 39E (at 12.34 CEST)

Reported distress position: 34°36’N / 12°09’E

The Ocean Viking, while in position 33 21.8 N 012 26.6 E, is in copy of an email from Alarm Phone to the relevant maritime authorities, relaying a distress alert from a boat the Libyan Search and Rescue Region (case AP 186). The position is two hours from the Ocean Viking’s position at the time of reception.

Please be informed that mv MY ROSE left the area at 1700Z and as night is falling, there is no sign of patrol vessel Ubari in the vicinity nor contact established with the Ocean Viking. As my vessel is not able to further provide assistance with this case, we resume course at 1746Z COG 272 SOG 5kts.

Ocean Viking position 33 40.8N 013 42.2E.

Below the recap of the 22nd of April 2021:

– Ocean Viking starts the search at 0317Z in pos 33 30.4N 013 53.0E in cooperation with MY ROSE (mmsi: 372505000), ALK (mmsi 304619000), VS LISBETH (mmsi: 2320005015)

– at 1024Z MY ROSE has visual on 3 bodies in pos 33 34N 013 37E

– at 1042Z Osprey 3 order to MY ROSE to standby in position and wait for Libyan patrol vessel Ubari

– at 1043Z Osprey 3 has visual on the shipwreck (grey rubber boat) in pos 33 44.44N 013 37.57E

– at 1150Z AIK leaves the scene and communicate via VHF that patrol vessel Ubari is the coordinator, meanwhile VS LISBETH left the area

– at 1200Z Ocean Viking has visual contact on the shipwreck and few bodies in pos 33 45.0N 013 38.0E. Only the sponsons were remaining afloat, no deck, no transom, no engine and bow completely under water level. No signs of survivors and MY ROSE is still holding her position in the area.

– at 1206Z Ocean Viking calls via sat phone LYJRCC asking information about ETA of Ubari. The officer on watch confirmed that Ubari was going to come on scene

– at 1323Z Ocean Viking calls via sat phone LYJRCC asking information about ETA of Ubari. The officer on watch confirmed that Ubari was going to come on scene

– at 1505Z Ocean Viking on scene in pos 33 45.5N 013 40.6E 3nm from MY ROSE. Patrol vessel Ubari is not yet arrived

Ocean Viking while standing by in the area spotted several bodies in the water.

Current weather condition: wind 6 to 7, seastate 5 to 6.

Ocean Viking asks for the ETA of LCG patrol vessel Ubari on the scene. The officer on watch confirms that Ubari was going to come on scene. No ETA provided.

Ocean Viking asks for the ETA of LCG patrol vessel Ubari on the scene. The officer on watch confirms that Ubari was going to come on scene. No ETA provided.

Ocean Viking asks for information on the case and on the coordination.

Frontex aircraft Osprey3 replies they are just performing a search and that they are not coordinating the case. Ocean Viking bridge specifies that Ocean Viking is a rescue vessel, well prepared for rescue operations with a medical team on board.

Ocean viking position: 33 30.4 N 013 53.0 E

Sea State: 6; Wind: 6.

Ocean Viking calls via VHF CH 16/6 ALK and MY ROSE asking for an update situation. No updates.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that at 1825Z, the following message was received via VHF CH 16: ‘MAYDAY MAYDAY for a boat in distress in position 33 28N 013 53E.’ MV Ocean Viking tried to contact via VHF CH16 the station sanding a Mayday Call: No Reply.

MAYDAY MAYDAY in position 33 28 N 013 53 E.

NO details about the distress case.

The Ocean Viking 87 NM away from the position.

Ocean Viking informs ITMRCC about the mayday relay and asks ITMRCC to send a Navtex message to all ships.

M/V AIK replies and relays the message to Lampedusa Radio requesting instructions. Lampedusa Radio replies that the position is inside Libyan SRR and to contact Ocean Viking.

MAYDAY MAYDAY, boat in distress in position 33 26 N 013 56 E.

NO details about the distress case.

Ocean Viking is 100 NM away from the position.

Ocean Viking sends an email to all authorities, informing them about the mayday message. The coordinates indicate that the boat in distress is AP case 182.

The unidentified aircraft communicates to a LYCG patrol vessel an updated position of a boat in distress at 33 15 N 014 01E (possibly corresponding to AP Case 182 or 183).

The unidentified aircraft communicates to a LYCG patrol vessel a distress case in position 33 13 N 014 02E, possibly corresponding to AP Case 182 or 183, the two alerts relayed earlier in the day.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that she is still proceeding towards the case AP 181.

Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Alarm Phone and addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTRCC with the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting that they were informed by a fishermen about a possible distress at sea.

Approximately 120 people on board, departed from Al-Khoms on 20/04/2021 at 10 pm CEST.

Position unknown. Distress Case Num: AP 182.

Ocean Viking, whilst sailing towards the previous case (OV Position: 33 41.1 N 012 32.1 E), receives an email sent by Alarm Phone and addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTRCC with the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a distress call from a white rubber boat carrying around 100 people (including 30 women and 15 children).

GPS Positions: N 33° 01’56”68 E 014° 69’20” (09:00 CEST 21.04.21), N 32°59’ 11’’44 E 014°07’11’’32 (08:00CEST 21.04.21)

Departed at 1000lt on 20/04/2021 from Al Khoms.

Distress Case Number: AP 183.

Ocean Viking calls via LYJRCC via satellite phone. The officer on watch reports that they are preparing to dispatch a patrol vessel from Tripoli. No ETA to the area of the boat in distress is given.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that she is proceeding towards the distress case.

Whilst patrolling (OV Position: 33°31.06 N 014°40.8 E) the Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Alarm Phone and addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTRCC with the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a wooden boat in distress with engine not working.

42 people reported on board.

Reported position: N33°35.593, E011°50.512 received at 22:28 CEST.

Distress Case Num: AP 181.

Ocean Viking is about 140NM from the distress position.

The Ocean Viking starts patrolling towards East.

Ocean Viking stops in position 33°23.3’N 012°35.8’E. Two RHIBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises.

Read the whole report about this operation here

From 15:00, in position 33°23,5’N 012°46,2’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct drills. RHIB s are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: E beaufort  3

Sea state 3

At 17:15 drills are complete

Noon position: 33° 19.2′N 012°46.3′E

Wind: SE beaufort 3

Sea state 3/4

Noon position: 33°32.7′N 012°36.0′E

Wind: SW beaufort 3/4

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°21.2′N 012°40.6′E

Wind: NW beaufort 5

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°17.0′N 012°44.4′E

Wind: N beaufort 4

Sea state 3/4

Noon position: 33°19.4′N 012°40.1′E

Wind: NE beaufort 4

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°47.1′N 012°16.1′E

Wind: NW beaufort  6

Sea state 4/5

At 15:00, in position 33°26,5’N 012°08,9’E, Ocean Viking stops to conduct a drill. 3 RHIBs are launched for rescue procedures exercise.

Wind: W beaufort 3/4

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°18.6′N 012°30.3′E

Wind: W beaufort 5 

Sea state 4

Noon position: 33°24.7′N 012°33.4′E

Wind: NW beaufort 5 

Sea state 4

Noon position: 33°29.3′N 012°19.5′E

Wind: 20 knots NNW

Waves: 2.5 meters

Noon position: 33°27.1′N 012°30.0′E

Wind: 18 knots NE

Swell: 2 meters NE

Scattered squalls

Noon position: 33°31.7′N 12°43.9′E

Wind: 15 knots NE

Swell: 3 meters

Scattered squalls

Noon position: 33° 41.9′N 11° 49.5′E

Wind: 25 knots N

Waves: 2,5 meters

Noon position: 33° 40.4′N 12° 03.5′E

Wind: 30 knots N

Waves: 3 meters

Ocean Viking is at 29 NM from the Libyan coast

PV Fezzan, approaching from South, establishes VHF communication with Ocean Viking and instructs her to maintain course 000°.

As PV Fezzan approaches very close, at least 33 people are seen her deck.

Eventually, PV Fezzan overtakes Ocean Viking heading North.

Ocean Viking sends a “notice of readiness for SAR operations” to the Maltese MRCC, Italian MRCC and Libyan JRCC, copying EUNAVFOR Med

In position: 34° 19,6′ N 014° 45.5′ E

Ocean viking is in position 33°28.8’N 014°14.4’E sailing at a speed of 3 knots.

Airplane Colibri calls Aquarius by radio to inform of the end of their patrol. Aquarius’ position is 33°21’6 N, 012°12’9 E.

Aquarius is patrolling in international waters north of Abu Kammash at a speed of 4 knots, approximately 24 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°29.90’ N, 11°51.94’ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 103°
• Wind: 5-10 knots
• Waves: 1 meter
• Sea state: 2

Colibri calls Aquarius via radio to inform they will be proceeding East of Aquarius’ position for their patrol. Aquarius’ position is 33°29.5820′ N 11°53.4730′ E.

Easy 1, Easy 2 and Easy 3 recovered, Aquarius resumes its voyage towards the patrol area, ca. 30 NM off the Libyan coast.

Aquarius halts navigation at position 34°07.11 N, 12°11.93 E. RHIBs Easy 1, Easy 2 and Easy 3 are launched and mass flotation devices are used in a practice rescue operation.

Aquarius resumed navigation at 17h05. It is now patrolling at 24 nautical miles from the Libyan coast at a speed of 4 knots. Current position is 33°28.9′ N, 011°.54.9′ E

• Course over ground (COG): 121°
• Wind: 14 knots
• Swell: 0.5 meter
• Sea state: 2

Aquarius is approached at 50-60 meters distance by a speedboat coming alongside the Aquarius. There are 4 individuals on board, not wearing a uniform. They wave towards the Aquarius. The speedboat passes the bow, turns around and sails further away, next to a fishing vessel, where it remains for around 15 minutes.

[UTC time}

Colibri flies over the area patrolled by Aquarius. It then informs Aquarius via VHF that it is leaving the patrolling area without information about boats in distress.

Colibri airplane calls Aquarius on satellite phone to inform that it will soon take off and conduct an aerial search over the zone West of Tripoli. Aquarius provides present position and informs of good weather conditions.

Aquarius stops engine to conduct an exercise with two RHIB, Easy 2 and Easy 3.

Through the binoculars, teams onboard Aquarius spot a potential target. Aquarius starts running second engine to increase speed and investigate it. The target is eventually identified as a fishing vessel.

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 4 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.6′ N, 012°12.8′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 123°
• Wind: 4 knots
• Swell: 1 meter
• Sea state: 2

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 3 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.5′ N, 012°13.3′ E, North of Zuwarah.

• Course over ground (COG): 125°
• Wind: 13 knots
• Swell: 2 meters
• Sea state: 4

Aquarius receives a phone call from Colibri, asking for an update from Aquarius. Colibri informs that it will take off soon, flying first in the area West of Tripoli and thereafter East of Tripoli. Aquarius provides current position.

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 3,2 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.7′ N, 012°12.5′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 130°
• Wind: 16-18 knots
• Waves: 1.5 meters
• Sea state: 3-4

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 4,3 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°25.8′ N, 012°04.3′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 300°
• Wind: 15 knots
• Waves: 1.2 meters
• Sea state: 3