ONBOARD SOS MEDITERRANEE Activities and observations of our rescue ship in the Central Mediterranean

SITUATION RECAP

All times are in UTC +2.

On July 11, Ocean Viking is detained by the Italian authorities.

On July 21, the detention of the Ocean Viking is lifted.

On August 10, Ocean Viking evacuates 55 persons from a white and grey fiberglass boat in distress. Shortly after, ITMRCC designates Civitavecchia, Italy, as a Place of Safety.

On August 11, Ocean Viking completes the evacuation of 14 boats in distress in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region, all closely coordinated by ITMRCC.

On August 12, Ocean Viking completes the disembarkation of 369 survivors in the port of Porto Empedocle, Sicily. The Ocean Viking then proceeds to Civitavecchia to disembark the remaining survivors. 

On August 14, Ocean Viking completes the disembarkation of the remaining 254 survivors in the port of Civitavecchia, Italy.

On August 11, Ocean Viking completes the evacuation of 14 boats in distress in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region, all closely coordinated by ITMRCC.

On August 24, Ocean Viking completes the evacuation of 3 boats in distress the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. ITMRCC designates Genoa, Italy, as a Place of Safety.

On August 25, Ocean Viking completes the evacuation of 7 boats in distress the Maltese Search and Rescue Region. Shortly after, ITMRCC calls Ocean Viking with new instructions to proceed to Vibo Valentia to disembark part of the survivors.

On August 28, Ocean Viking completes the disembarkation of the remaining 254 survivors in the port of Naples, Italy.

On September 10, Ocean Viking completes the evacuation of 68 survivors in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region.

On September 14, Ocean Viking completes the disembarkation 68 survivors in the port of Ancona, Italy.

Search

June 17, 2018
August 15, 2018
August 17, 2018
September 30, 2018
December 12, 2018
December 31, 2018
12:00

Aquarius is returned to its owner as the charter party terminates

August 23, 2019
September 14, 2019
September 24, 2019
October 8, 2019
October 16, 2019
October 30, 2019
November 19, 2019
November 28, 2019
December 20, 2019
January 17, 2020
January 24, 2020
February 23, 2020
July 7, 2020
July 22, 2020
February 26, 2021
April 7, 2021
May 16, 2021
September 3, 2021
October 5, 2021
November 12, 2021
December 25, 2021
January 10, 2022
10:00

PSC officers arrive onboard Ocean Viking to start an inspection.

21:00

The inspection is over. Ocean Viking is detained.

January 27, 2022
15:30

The Ocean Viking is released after a follow-up Port State Control in Trapani, Sicily.

February 9, 2022
14:00

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Trapani and goes to anchorage.

February 20, 2022
March 29, 2022
May 6, 2022
May 31, 2022
July 7, 2022
August 1, 2022
September 5, 2022
November 12, 2022
January 11, 2023
February 18, 2023
April 4, 2023
May 26, 2023
June 30, 2023
July 11, 2023
21:47

Following a Port State Control inspection in Civitavecchia, the Master of Ocean Viking is presented with a notice of detention by the Italian authorities. 

July 21, 2023
July 29, 2023
18:09

Cast off. The Ocean Viking leaves the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. 

August 1, 2023
07:30

All lines made fast. The Ocean Viking docks in Syracuse, Italy, for maintenance.

August 6, 2023
13:15

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone ITMRCC. Answer is to hold the line but no answer back.

August 7, 2023
07:58

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Syracuse, Italy. 

August 10, 2023
08:40

Ocean Viking spots an overcrowded fiberglass boat.

08:45

Ocean Viking launches rescue boats. 

08:49

Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone. No answer.

08:52

Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone. No answer. 

09:07

Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli the assessment. 

09:07

Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli to inform about the situation. JRCC Tripoli does not give further instructions. 

09:27

Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli to inform about the situation. JRCC Tripoli does not give further instructions.

09:27

Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli to report the assessment of the situation and the ascertained distress phase.  

09:37

Ocean Viking sends an email to JRCC Tripoli to inform about the completion of the recovery of survivors and request a PoS. 

11:39

Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC designating Civitavecchia as the place of safety for the 55 survivors onboard.

13:53

Ocean Viking receives a VSAT call from ITMRCC and is instructed to proceed southwest of Lampedusa to assist open distress cases and await further instructions. 

20:39

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report the situation and asks for further instructions. 

22:19

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

23:35

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

23:57

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

August 11, 2023
00:14

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for a wooden boat in distress. 

00:51

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

02:50

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

02:52

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

03:55

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

04:32

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

04:42

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

04:55

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

04:57

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

06:00

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

06:01

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

06:16

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

06:40

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for two iron boats in distress. 

07:00

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

08:43

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

08:53

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

09:07

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

09:49

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

10:35

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

10:45

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

12:33

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

12:45

Italian Coast Guard Patrol Vessel CP290 arrives on scene. 

13:03

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

13:40

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for three iron boats in distress. 

14:03

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation of an iron boat in distress. 

14:37

Ocean Viking responds to Malta RCC with her availability to support the Medevac operation 

14:47

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

15:00

CP290 departures from scene. 

15:10

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for a wooden boat in distress. 

15:23

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

15:30

Ocean Viking receives a call from ITMRCC requesting an update about the situation and giving further instructions. 

16:08

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

16:55

Ocean Viking initiates a rescue operation for an iron boat in distress. 

16:56

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

17:04

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

18:24

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation. ITMRCC instructs Ocean Viking to proceed towards Lampedusa. 

18:59

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to inform that all Rhibs are recovered and providing ETA to Lampedusa. 

22:08

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions. 

August 12, 2023
14:38

Disembarkation of 369 survivors from the Ocean Viking starts in the port of Porto Empedocle, Italy. 

17:10

Disembarkation in the port of Porto Empedocle, Italy, of 369 survivors from the Ocean Viking is completed. 

18:18

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Porto Empedocle, Italy. 

18:32

Ocean Viking proceeds to Civitavecchia, Italy. 

August 14, 2023
08:24

Ocean Viking arrives in the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. 

09:10

Disembarkation of the 254 survivors from the Ocean Viking starts in the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. 

13:33

Disembarkation in the port of Civitavecchia, Italy, of all 254 survivors from the Ocean Viking is completed. 

19:42

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Civitavecchia, Italy. 

August 16, 2023
13:24

Ocean Viking arrives in the port of Syracuse, Sicily. 

August 22, 2023
10:30

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Syracuse, Sicily. 

August 24, 2023
09:50

Ocean Viking spots an overcrowded wooden boat and an overcrowded rubber boat.

09:54

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

10:08

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MRCC, ITMRCC in CC) to report above situation.

10:31

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

10:32

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

10:35

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, ITMRCC in CC) to report above situation.

10:48

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, IMRCC in CC) to report RHIBs assessment and initiation of recovery of the persons in distress.

11:19

Ocean Viking calls LYJRCC to inform about the situation. No answer.

11:32

Evacuation of 110 survivors from an overcrowded rubber boat and 113 survivors from an overcrowded wooden boat onto Ocean Viking is completed. 

Latitude: 33.483
Longitude: 012.383
11:44

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC to report completion of survivors recovery and request a Place of Safety.

12:08

Ocean Viking is in copy of an email sent to relevant authorities by Sea Watch – Airborne alerting to a boat in distress (DC1703) with approx. 50 people on board without Life-Saving equipment.

12:23

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

12:23

Ocean Viking calls LYJRCC via Sat Phone. No answer.

12:24

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

12:34

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, ITMRC in CC) to inform of Ocean Viking response to the alert and request Rescue Coordination Centres to provide SAR action plan.

12:46

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No Answer.

12:50

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, ITMRCC in CC) to report above situation and to inform that rescue boats are going to be launched for closer assessment.

13:15

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report about the situation and asks for instructions.

13:42

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, ITMRCC in CC) to report above situation.

14:00

Libyan Coast Guard Patrol Vessel, Fezzan 658, arrives on site and stops 1 NM away from Ocean Viking.

14:01

Libyan Coast Guard Patrol Vessel, Fezzan 658, starts to move away from the scene without giving any instructions.

14:10

Libyan Coast Guard Patrol Vessel, Fezzan 658 grants authorization to recover the persons in distress.

14:20

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 49 survivors.

Latitude: 33.5
Longitude: 012.25
14:37

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (MTRCC, ITMRCC in CC) to report about the situation and to ask for intructions.

18:24

Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC designating Genoa as the place of safety for the survivors on board.

August 25, 2023
03:57

Ocean Viking, in position while on route towards Place of Safety in Genoa spots an overcrowded small wooden boat

04:14

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to report and seek instructions. From here onwards, all SAR operations coordinated by ITMRCC / ITCGs assets on scene (CP940Nave Dattilo, CP285 and CP327) and communicated by Ocean Viking prior each step of the rescues.

04:55

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 14 people in distress from a small unseaworthy wooden boat.

Latitude: 35.0266
Longitude: 012.015
05:35

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 43 people in distress from an unseaworthy iron boat.

07:35

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 20 people in distress from an unseaworthy wooden boat.

Latitude: 35.3
Longitude: 012.2005
09:15

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 31 people in distress from an unseaworthy iron boat.

Latitude: 35.0273
Longitude: 012.0183
09:49

Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC with instruction to head towards the Place of Safety upon completion of SAR operation as instructed by CG PV DATTILO. At this time, MV Ocean Viking is still engaged in SAR operations

11:32

ITMRCC sends an email to Ocean Viking with instruction to head towards the Place of Safety. At this time, Ocean Viking is still engaged in SAR Operations with distress cases in close proximity, unseaworthy boats at risk of sinking and capsizing at any moment, while no other asset is in this area to promptly assist.

12:48

CP327 arrived on scene performs the recovery of the persons in distress on board the small wooden boat intercepted by Ocean Viking.

12:50

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 42 people in distress from an unseaworthy rubber boat.

Latitude: 35.273
Longitude: 012.018
13:09

Ocean Viking completes the recovery of 18 people in distress from an small unseaworthy wooden boat.

Latitude: 35.0273
Longitude: 012.00183
13:09

Upon completion of recovery of persons in distress from open SAR cases in close proximity,and with CP327 in the area, Ocean Viking recovers the RHIBs in position and resumes voyage to Genoa as PoS and sends an email to ITMRCC to acknowledge instruction and report that navigation is resumed towards the POS Genoa.

13:13

ITMRCC calls Ocean Viking to request to provide total number of PoB and to reply to PoS email sent by MRCC on 24/08/2023 with updated information.

20:20

ITMRCC calls Ocean Viking with new instructions to proceed to Vibo Valentia.

September 10, 2023
03:02

Ocean Viking is ready to provide first assistance, and emails LYJRCC to ask for their SAR action plan.

05:56

Ocean Viking emails LYJRCC to inform that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the distress case about 13NM away, ready to provide first assistance.

07:28

Ocean Viking email LYJRCC to update on the situation and to inform that Ocean Viking RHIBs are going to be launched for closer assessment and will inform of observations and actions undertaken.

08:55

Ocean Viking completed the recovery operation of 68 persons in distress.

Latitude: 33.2
Longitude: 012.26
08:58

Ocean Viking emails LYJRCC to inform the recovery operation has been completed, that complete information will be sent with Maritime Incident Report and to request a Place of Safety to promptly disembark all 68 survivors.

09:49

Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC designating Ancona as the Place of Safety for the survivors on board.

11:39

Ocean Viking tries to reach via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

11:40

Ocean Viking tries to reach via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

11:55

Ocean Viking launches rescue boats and asses the situation

12:06

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

12:07

Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone LYJRCC. No answer.

12:24

RHIBs find an empty iron boat.

12:44

Ocean Viking resume navigation towards Place of Safety, Ancona.