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

The Ocean Viking left the port of Marseille for her 10th rotation at sea on January 11, after the crew underwent a 10-day quarantine and got tested for COVID-19 several times prior to the departure.

After a week of transit south and intensive drilling, the ship started her search activity on January 17.

On January 21, the Ocean Viking rescued 119 people from a rubber boat in distress, 37NM off the Libyan coast. On January 22, the vessel rescued further 148 people from two rubber boats in distress, 37 NM off the coast and later on the same day, a fourth rubber boat in distress was spotted and 106 people rescued at nightfall 28 NM off the Libyan coast.

On January 23, the Italian Coastguard performed the medical evacuation of an 8-month pregnant lady from the ship, which remains in international waters, waiting for a Place of Safety to be promptly assigned for the remaining 373 survivors.

On January 24, the Ocean Viking was assigned Augusta, Italy, as Place of Safety for the survivors onboard. On January 25 and 26, all survivors disembarked in Augusta.

On February 2nd, the Ocean Viking left the port of Augusta, Sicily, to resume her lifesaving mission in the central Mediterranean.

On February 4, the Ocean Viking rescued 121 people from a rubber boat in distress 30 NM off the Libyan coast in the early morning, and rescued 116 people from a second second rubber boat in distress, few hours later.

On February 5, in the morning, the Ocean Viking rescued 70 people from a rubber boat in distress 40 NM off the Libyan coast and 116 people from a second rubber boat in distress within a few hours.

On February 6, a pregnant patient was evacuated from the Ocean Viking via an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter, with her partner.  

On February 7, the Ocean Viking is designated Augusta, Sicily as Place of Safety for the disembarkation of the survivors onboard.

On February 8 and 9, all survivors were disembarked in Augusta, Sicily after being tested for Covid-19 by Italian health authorities.

On February 8, the Ocean Viking is notified of the start of a 14-day quarantine as requested by the Italian health authorities (USMAF) for the ship and crew in the port of Augusta.

Rescue Recap2_22012021

Rescue Recap1_04022021

 

Search

January 11, 2021
09:02

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Marseille, France.

January 12, 2021
January 14, 2021
January 15, 2021
January 19, 2021
21:20

Drills are completed. Ocean Viking resumes patrolling.

January 20, 2021
January 21, 2021
10:12

Distribution of life-jackets starts

12:14

All RHIBs are recovered onboard Ocean Viking.

12:56

Ocean Viking informs the LYJRCC (with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy) of the completion of the rescue.

13:00

Ocean Viking is heading towards the last known position of the third distress case sent by Alarm Phone.

January 22, 2021
06:45

Ocean Viking informs authorities on the launching of RHIBs for further assessment.

08:58

Ocean Viking completes the rescue of 149 survivors, approx. 37 NM from the Libyan coast.

Latitude: 33.484000
Longitude: 012.986500
09:28

Ocean Viking is heading towards the last known position of the third reported distress case.

January 23, 2021
11:31

ITMRCC contacts CIRM (Italian Rescue Centre Telemedical Maritime Advice Service) for assessment of the medical case.

11:37

ITMRCC contacts Ocean Viking by phone and gives authorisation for the MEDEVAC.

January 24, 2021
16:20

Italian MRCC informs Ocean Viking by phone of the designation of Augusta, Sicily, as a PoS.

January 25, 2021
14:30

Upon visit on board of the USMAF medical team, Ocean Viking is allowed ‘Free Pratique’ by the harbour health authorities.

January 26, 2021
13:24

All survivors disembarked in Augusta, Sicily.

February 2, 2021
11:40

Ocean Viking leaves the port of Augusta, Sicily.

February 3, 2021
February 4, 2021
06:35

Ocean Viking launches RHIBs.

06:35

Ocean Viking launches RHIBs for further investigation.

12:01

Ocean Viking establishes visual contact with the reported distress case.

12:15

Ocean Viking launches two RHIBS and rafts. 

12:38

Life jackets distribution starts. 

February 5, 2021
06:53

Ocean Viking establishes visual on a potential distress case.

08:24

Life jackets distribution starts.

10:47

Life jacket distribution starts.

February 6, 2021
February 7, 2021
12:56

Italian MRCC informs Ocean Viking by phone of the designation of Augusta, Sicily, as a Place of Safety.

19:32

Ocean Viking drops anchor in the harbour of Augusta, Sicily.

February 8, 2021
15:00

Ocean Viking is notified of the start of a 14-day quarantine as requested by USMAF health authorities for the ship and crew in the port of Augusta.

February 9, 2021
13:36

The disembarkation of all survivors onboard Ocean Viking is complete.

February 24, 2021
09:50

Ocean Viking is granted ‘Free Pratique’ by health authorities.

February 26, 2021
19:17

Ocean Viking leaves Augusta, Sicily, to join the port of Marseille, France.

March 1, 2021
14:03

Ocean Viking moors in the port of Marseille, France.