Noon position: 35° 41,7′ N 015° 27,2′ E

Wind: 7 knots NNW

Waves: 0.7 meters

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

While patrolling in the Maltese SRR in position 34°23.3’N   014°12.5’E, Ocean Viking receives an email at 22:32h from Alarm Phone, addressed to Libyan maritime authorities, with Ocean Viking and MV Alan Kurdi in copy, reporting a boat in distress with 28 people, including 5 woman and 11 children in position 33.50528 N ( 33°30.2’N ) 11.96613 (011°57.9’E). Ocean Viking alters course towards the boat in distress.

After trying to call Libyan JRCC via Sat-phone and not receiving answer, Ocean Viking reports by email to JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, MTRCC, EUNAVFORMed and MV Alan Kurdi in copy) the alert received via email from Alarm Phone, and informs that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the distress position.

Ocean Viking resumes patrol patterns in the Libyan SRR

Ocean Viking alters her course towards the area in order to investigate

After spotting via binoculars a wooden boat adrift in the area where the airplane was previously circling, Ocean Viking approaches to investigate.
The wooden boat is found in position 33° 29,2′ N 012° 10,0′ E

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.

Noon position: 33° 40.4′N 12° 03.5′E

Wind: 30 knots N

Waves: 3 meters

Noon position: 33° 41.9′N 11° 49.5′E

Wind: 25 knots N

Waves: 2,5 meters

Noon position: 33°31.7′N 12°43.9′E

Wind: 15 knots NE

Swell: 3 meters

Scattered squalls

Noon position: 33°27.1′N 012°30.0′E

Wind: 18 knots NE

Swell: 2 meters NE

Scattered squalls

While patrolling in the Libyan SRR in position 33° 27.2′N 012° 36.9′E, Ocean Viking receives an email at 15:31 from Alarm Phone, addressed to Italian MRCC, with Libyan maritime authorities, Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, reporting a boat in distress.

“[…] we got information about a rubber boat with around 45 people on board which was around 35 km north of Al-Khums ca. 50 hours ago. The people were in distress. […]“

Ocean Viking alters her course towards the reported distress area (about 92 NM away from her) and tries to gather more information regarding the distress case.

All the information gathered by reaching out to Libyan JRCC, Rome MRCC, Alarm Phone and Sea-Watch 3, leads the Ocean Viking to conclude that there are no possibilities of finding the reported boat in distress.

Since the moment the boat was reportedly seen (Sunday 29th around noon), considering the weather conditions north of Al Khums (strong northerly winds), a rubber boat with no working engine (as reported to the Ocean Viking) would have drifted onto the Libyan shore after 9 to 12 hours.

While in position 33° 31.2′N 013° 17.4′E, Ocean Viking informs maritime authorities of her conclusions and that she resumes patrolling, heading West, while remaining available for any assistance that may be required.

Noon position: 33°29.3′N 012°19.5′E

Wind: 20 knots NNW

Waves: 2.5 meters

Noon position: 33°24.7′N 012°33.4′E

Wind: NW beaufort 5 

Sea state 4

Noon position: 33°18.6′N 012°30.3′E

Wind: W beaufort 5 

Sea state 4

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°47.1′N 012°16.1′E

Wind: NW beaufort  6

Sea state 4/5

Noon position: 37°38.5′N 011°48.2′E

Wind: N beaufort  5

Sea state 4

From 10:20, in position 38°27,2’N 013°23,2’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct drills. RHIB s are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: S beaufort  2/3

Sea state 2

At 17:15 drills are completed

From 09:30, in position 36°03,7’N 011°59,5’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct drills. RHIB s are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: SE beaufort  4

Sea state 3

At 11:25 drills are completed

At 21:29 Ocean Viking sends a “notice of readiness for SAR operations” to the Libyan JRCC, copying Maltese MRCC, Italian MRCC and EUNAVFOR Med

Noon position: 33°19.4′N 012°40.1′E

Wind: NE beaufort 4

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°17.0′N 012°44.4′E

Wind: N beaufort 4

Sea state 3/4

Noon position: 33°21.8′N 012°41.4′E

Wind: NW beaufort 4

Sea state 4

From 15:00, in position 33°21,3’N 012°23,5’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct drills. RHIB s are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: N beaufort  3

Sea state 3

At 17:00 drills are completed

Ocean Viking alters course accordingly

Ocean Viking email to the Libyan Join Rescue Coordination Center copy to Italian and Maltese Coordination Centers also, as well to EUNAVFORMED and Alarm Phone, reporting the email from Alarm Phone about the boat in distress

Ocean Viking (in position 33° 23.3’N  012°43.4’E ) has visual contact with the wooden boat

Alert phase: apprehension exists as to the safety of the boat and its occupants.

Distress phase: the boat and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.

On position 34°22.9’N 012°44.5’E, with 22 knots of wind and 2.5 mts of waves, Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and the transfer of the 39 survivors is completed.

Wooden boat in position 33°22.9’N – 012°44.7’E is marked “2020 01 17 OV” and left adrift

Ocean Viking emails to the Libyan Join Rescue Coordination Center copy to Italian and Maltese Coordination Centers also, as well to EUNAVFORMED sending the Maritime Incident Report and asking for Place of Safety. 39 survivors. 15 men, 5 women and 19 minors. Nationalities: Morocco, Bangladesh, Egypt and Somalia.  

I respectfully request that, as the JRCC coordinating, you please provide with the indication of a Place of Safety which fulfils all requirements […]”

Noon position: 33°21.2′N 012°40.6′E

Wind: NW beaufort 5

Sea state 3

Noon position: 33°32.7′N 012°36.0′E

Wind: SW beaufort 3/4

Sea state 3

Noon position: 36°24.4′N 014°59.0′E

Wind: E beaufort 5/6

Sea state 4

Good evening Sir

“Be informed that Italian Ministry of Interior has assigned POZZALLO as destination harbor for your ship.[…]”

The 39 survivors are on land