Ocean Viking in position 33 35.0N 013 55.6E

Ocean Viking in position 33 25.0N 013 46.8E

Ocean Viking position: 33 11 N 014 16 E

Ocean Viking position 33 12 N 014 16 E

Patrol vessel 660 and Patrol vessel 648 are in the vicinity of Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking tries to establish communication on VHF ch16 to request cooperation for the search. No answer.

There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and may require immediate assistance.

Ocean Viking is about 15 Nm away from the reported distress case.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to MTRCC and JRCC Tripoli, with ITMRCC and the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy:

“MV Ocean Viking is requesting your Rescue Coordination Centers, as competent authorities of the SRRs where the SAR operations were conducted, to coordinate in identifying a Place of Safety (as required by the Annex to the 1979 SAR Convention, paragraph 1.3.2, and by the IMO Resolution MSC.167(78)) which fulfils all requirements under applicable international law, where the survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.”

“Dear Sirs/Madams,

Please be informed that, at 1130 UTC in position 33 53 N 012 49 E, MV Ocean Viking completed the recovery operation of the persons in distress. 35 (number to be confirmed) shipwrecked persons have been safely brought on board MV Ocean Viking.

The breakdown of the survivors and complete information will follow in Maritime Incident Report.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking“

Ocean Viking in position: 33 53 N 012 49 E informs that she launched 2 RHIBs to assess the situation: the boat is adrift, unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 35 people on board, including women and children, without lifejackets, all exposed to the elements. Ocean Viking informs that she tried to contact Libyan Coast Guard by SAT phone to report the situation, with no avail. Ocean Viking reports that she will proceed to the assistance of these persons in distress and rescue them without delay, while keeping competent RCCs duly informed as:

“This is a case of force majeure (ref.SOLAS Art. IV) imposing to retrieve persons in danger of being lost at sea, as stipulated by the relevant International Maritime Conventions

Relevant shipboard safety and environmental elements have been assessed and it is ascertained MV Ocean Viking has the capacity to recover all of these persons without creating serious danger to the ship and the persons thereon, in line with the provisions of Art. 98 of the UNCLOS Convention. Also, not any risk of pollution will result.“

Ocean Viking in position 33 51 N 012 51 E informs JRCC Tripoli, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in copy, that she received a distress alert by VHF from Aircraft Colibri 2 about a boat in distress. There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost at sea and require immediate assistance. Ocean Viking informs that she is proceeding towards the target, about 4NM away, ready to provide assistance.

Ocean Viking in position 33 41 N 012 46 E informs that she launched 2 RHIBs to assess the situation: the wooden boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 40 people on board, without lifejackets, all exposed to the elements. Ocean Viking reports that she will proceed to the assistance of these persons in distress and rescue them without delay, while keeping competent RCCs duly informed as:

“This is a case of force majeure (ref.SOLAS Art. IV) imposing to retrieve persons in danger of being lost at sea, as stipulated by the relevant International Maritime Conventions

Relevant shipboard safety and environmental elements have been assessed and it is ascertained MV Ocean Viking has the capacity to recover all of these persons without creating serious danger to the ship and the persons thereon, in line with the provisions of Art. 98 of the UNCLOS Convention. Also, not any risk of pollution will result.”

Persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance. Ocean Viking informs that she will proceed to the assistance of these persons in distress and evacuate them without delay.

Ocean Viking in position 33 40 N 012 43 E sends an email to JRCC Tripoli, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in copy, to inform that she spotted an overcrowded wooden boat about 5NM away. Apprehension exists as to the safety of the persons on board. Ocean Viking informs that the she called JRCC Tripoli but the operator could not copy because broken communication and ask to send this email. Ocean Viking informs that she is ready to provide assistance.  

Ocean Viking in position 34 23 N 012 59 E

Ocean Viking in position 33 40 N 012 07 E

“Dear Sirs/Madams,

Please be informed that, at 0145 UTC in position 33 29 N 012 24 E, MV Ocean Viking completed the rescue of the boat in distress. 34 (number to be confirmed) shipwrecked persons have been safely brought on board MV Ocean Viking.

The breakdown of the survivors and complete information will follow in Maritime Incident Report.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking”

Ocean Viking in position 33 30.2 N 012 25.3 E sends an email to JRCC Tripoli, with ITMRCC and MTRCC in copy, to inform that she spotted the boat in distress and launched two rhibs to assess the situation. The wooden boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 50 people on board without lifejackets and with women, all exposed to the elements. Ocean Viking informs that she tried to call JRCC Tripoli on two numbers, with no avail. Ocean Viking informs that she will proceed to the assistance of the persons in distress:

“MV Ocean Viking has no information on the availability of other vessels in the area which are capable/available to promptly recover these persons in distress and deliver them to a Place of Safety.

It is ascertained that the distress phase exists as the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance.

This is a case of force majeure (ref.SOLAS Art. IV) imposing to retrieve persons in danger of being lost at sea, as stipulated by the relevant International Maritime Conventions

Relevant shipboard safety and environmental elements have been assessed and it is ascertained MV Ocean Viking has the capacity to recover all of these persons without creating serious danger to the ship and the persons thereon, in line with the provisions of Art. 98 of the UNCLOS Convention. Also, not any risk of pollution will result.

MV Ocean Viking will proceed to the assistance of these persons in distress and rescue them without delay, while keeping competent RCCs duly informed.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking“

The following numbers are called: 00218 213 606 868: no answer, 00218 214 446 799: no answer.

Ocean Viking writes an email to JRCC Tripoli, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in copy, to seek coordination for the distress alert reported by Alarm Phone and informs that Ocean Viking tried to call JRCC Tripoli on two different numbers, with no avail. As there is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost at sea and require immediate assistance, Ocean Viking informs that she is proceeding towards the target, about 10NM away, ready to provide assistance.

Ocean Viking in position 33 28 N 012 33 E

“Ocean Viking found an empty blue wooden boat without engine, adrift in the vicinity of the last known position. Ocean Viking resumes the navigation.”

Ocean Viking is approximately 45NM away from the last known distress position.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

After three previous requests for the designation of a Place of Safety to the Libyan authorities, Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 387 survivors.

Ocean Viking precises in the email that the rescue completed could match with the open distress case relayed by Alarm Phone (AP 543).

Ocean Viking position: 33 19.6N 012 19.3E

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 294 survivors remaining onboard.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors onboard.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors onboard.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors onboard.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC and MTJRCC, with LYJRCC in copy, requesting assistance in the designation of a Place of Safety for the 295 survivors onboard.

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 70 people on board, no
lifejackets, all exposed to the elements.

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 80 people on board, no lifejackets, children, women, all exposed to the elements.

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 in position 33 39.2 N 012 26.6 E

Ocean Viking in position 33 38.7 N 012 26.4 E

Ocean Viking reminds to Patrol Boat 656 that she is able to provide assistance and medical support in case of need. After completing the interception of the first wooden boat, the LCG Patrol Boat is observed heading at high speed towards the second wooden boat.

Ocean Viking in position 33 36.8 N 012 26.0 E

Patrol Boat 656 calls Ocean Viking on VHF Channel 16 to inform that they are the OSC and they will take care about the two cases; Ocean Viking informs the Patrol Boat 656 that she is able to provide assistance and medical support in case of need.

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.

“We are informing you that at 09:45Z we assessed the situation with 2 RHIBs: the wooden boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 20 people on board, few lifejackets, children, women and a new born: all exposed to the elements. The people on board are in danger and I have ascertained that the Distress phase exists.” […] “Therefore, I inform you that M/V Ocean Viking will provide immediate assistance to these people in distress and rescue them without delay.”

“At 09:00UTC Ocean Viking has a visual contact with a wooden boat blue color in the water, possibly in distress.
Ocean Viking is going to launch our RHIBs and assess the situation.”

The rubber boat is overcrowded. The people in distress, including women and children, do not have lifesaving appliances.

Ocean Viking informs that we she will run out of pre-packed ’24 hours food kits’ after four days.

The large wooden boat is overcrowded, with between 200 and 300 people on board, and at high risk of capsizing.

The reported position of the distress case alerted to by Alarm Phone is close to the latest position of the SAR case alerted to by the Inmarsat text message.

Through the ITMRCC, Ocean Viking succeeds in speaking with the LYJRCC duty officer. The Libyan duty officer only speaks Arabic and is not aware of the distress case.

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

Colibri2 aircraft (Pilotes volontaires) reported to the Ocean Viking having witnessed the interceptions.

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 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.

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 last survivors of all 119 people who were onboard the rubber boat in distress are safely brought onboard the Ocean Viking. Among them are 10 women and 59 minors.

It has been 3 days that the Ocean Viking originally requested a place of safety to the Libyan and European authorities.

In that period and since the first of three rescues on the 18^th of February, JRCC-Tripoli has not responded any of the emails sent by the Ocean Viking. When answered, VHF and phone communications were useless because JRCC-Tripoli was not able to converse in any other language than Arabic.

A demand of POS was made to IT-MRCC and RCC-Malta by email late on the 19^th of February. After a second email sent the following day, IT-MRCC did acknowledge the POS request but did not provide any instruction regarding a place of safety where the 274 survivors rescued by the Ocean Viking could be disembarked.

The situation on board, with limited space coupled with the weather conditions and cold, is negatively affecting the people’s social and physical well-being. The Ocean Viking is continuing to standing by.

ITMRCC acknowledges receipt of the Ocean Viking’s PoS request. They also inform the Ocean Viking that they have forwarded the request to the competent authority.

The Ocean Viking sends a follow-up e-mail to MTJRCC, with LYJRCC and ITMRCC in copy, regarding the PoS request for disembarking the 276 survivors currently on board.

The Ocean Viking sends a follow-up e-mail to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, regarding the PoS request for disembarking the 276 survivors currently on board.

At 15:26, the Ocean Viking requests that JRCC-Tripoli provides a place of safety safety, as defined in the Annex to the 1979 SAR Convention, paragraph 1.3.2 and in the International Maritime Organization 2004 Rescue Guidelines, which fulfills all requirements under all applicable international laws, where the survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.

Total number of survivors on board: 274

Ocean Viking position at 15:00: 33°42.4’N 012°30.2’E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Sea-Watch 3, Airborne and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that the rescue is completed.

At 10:04, the Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTRCC, Alarm Phone, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, to inform that she has passed the last reported position of the wooden boat and that search efforts are being pursued to the North.

Updated position at 10:15: 33°43’N 12°41’E

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

At 08:08, the Ocean Viking receives an email that was addressed to JRCC Tripoli, with Alarm Phone and Airborne in copy. In this communication, Sea Watch 3 informs that they will respond to the rubber boat distress call.

Alarm Phone Case 1 AP 19.02

The Ocean Viking tries to call the Libyan JRCC but the line is busy.

At 07:37, the Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, that she is in the area and is responding to the distress alert sent for Case 1 AP.

Ocean Viking position: 33°30.7’N 12°16.6’E

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC answers, but no one speaks English.

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a wooden boat that departed from Zawiya around 23:00 on February 18th.

Alarmphone Case 2 AP 19.02

Reported Position at 06:41: 33°17.2’N 012°24.7’E

At 07:19 on February 19th, Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a rubber boat that departed from Zawiya around 23:00 on February 18th.

Alarm Phone Case 1 AP 19.02

Reported Position at 06:20: 33°06.7′ N 012°21.7’E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, to inform that the rescue is completed with all 98 survivors safely on board the Ocean Viking.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to JRCC-Tripoli, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that a rescue operation is being initiated.

Dear Sirs,
Due the dangerous nature of the situation. Our RHIBs are currently stabilising the vessel and giving out life jackets. For the safety of everyone it has been deemed necessary to evacuate everyone immediately. Also due to lack of instructions we are unaware of any other rescue efforts for this distress case.
We will continue to update this RCC as the coordinating RCC Best regards,
MVH
Bridge

Weather conditions and sea state are deteriorating and there is a lack of instructions and information regarding other rescue efforts being done for this distress case.

At 15:56, the Ocean Viking sends an email to JRCC-Tripoli with Alarm Phone, and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, to inform that visual contact has been established with an overcrowded rubber boat. Because of worsening weather conditions, RHIBs are being prepared.

Ocean Viking position: 33°33.6’N 012°21.2’E

The Ocean Viking calls the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC answer the phone. The Ocean Viking asks if somebody speaks English. The LYJRCC does not answer in English. The Ocean Viking mentions the words “rubber boat”, “people in distress”, “migrants”. The communication is not possible.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

As the Ocean Viking establishes a visual contact with the target, the SAR team is preparing for rescue.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with Sea-Watch 3 and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her course and speed have been altered to investigate and assist if need be and that the Ocean Viking position is situated 1 hour away from the reported position.

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCCand ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a rubber boat.

Reported position at 14:25 : 33°30 N 012°16 E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with MTJRCC, ITMRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that the rescue is completed with 84 survivors safely on board the Ocean Viking.

Reporting no medical emergency.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC again. The LYJRCC answers, informing that no one speaks English, only Arabic.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer the phone.

The close-up assessment of the two RHIBs reports that the wooden boat was overcrowded, with approximately 90 persons on board. All are exposed to the elements and none are equipped with life jackets.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in copy, informing that a rescue operation is being initiated.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and Alarm Phone, with MTJRCC and ITMRCC in copy, to inform that visual contact has been established with an overcrowded wooden boat near position 34°17.2’N 012°24.5’E. It also informs that it will evaluate the situation.

The Ocean Viking replies by email to LYJRCC and Alarm Phone, with MTJRCCand ITMRCC in copy, that the update was received.

Alarm Phone sends an email to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC (with the Ocean Viking in copy) updating the position of the reported boat in distress.

Updated position: 34°14.0’N 012°21.0’E at 06:03 28/02/2020

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with MTRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her course and speed have been altered to investigate and assist if need be and that the Ocean Viking position is situated 22 NM from the reported position.

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCCand ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a wooden boat that departed from Sabratah or Zuwara on February 17th at about 5 or 6 am.

Reported position: 34°12.0’N 012°18.6’E at 05:24 28/02/2020

Alarm Phone forwards an email to the Ocean Viking, originally sent to them by LYJRCC informing that a rubber boat with approximately 90 persons on board was intercepted around 21:15.

The Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that the Ocean Viking is altering her course and is proceeding at best possible speed to assist if need be.

Distance to reported distress position: 228 NM – ETA: 13:00 18/02

“If the situation is deemed as very urgent an aerial medical evacuation can be made available once the aerial asset is readily available (estimate of availability is of 1.5hrs) however due to space restrictions only two patients can be taken on board.  RCC MT for the time being suggests that you continue proceeding north and seek also the assistance of other better able RCCs which may be willing or in a better position to assist.”

“At 0130Z Ocean Viking finished the rescue of the light grey rubber boat, 82 survivors in Maltese SRR. Correction on the previous rescue: At 2200Z Ocean Viking finished the rescue of the black rubber boat, 102 survivors in Libya SRR.”

Ocean Viking informs about the position of the last rescue and that all the survivors are safely on board

Rubber boat in position 33 47N 014 54E with 80 people on board, 3 knots heading NNE.

White rubber boat in position  33 23N 013 55E with 80 people on board, 3 knots.

We respectfully request that […] please  provide the indication of a Place of Safety […] which fulfils all requirements under all applicable international laws, where the 151 survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.”

My 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.”

We will keep you updated”

Ocean Viking is heading towards the position, about 8 NM away

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

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. 92 survivors. 39 men, 15 women and 38 minors, among them 4 pregnant women and 2 babies. Nationalities:  Somalia, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Guinea Conakry, Mali; Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Benin and Gambia

Ocean Viking will continue to update.

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

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.  

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

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

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

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC and MTJRCC copying LYJRCC to request a Place of Safety:

” … Please find attached Maritime Incident Report regarding the SAR operation conducted by MV Ocean Viking on 28th Nov. 2019. 60 people were rescued, including 40 males, 2 females and 18 minors …

… Whole operation took place in international waters, in the Libyan SRR and in the strictest adherence to the UNCLOS, SOLAS and SAR conventions

On the 29th of November,  we asked JRCC Tripoli to assign a Place of Safety for the disembarkation of the survivors. No response has been received.

According to international maritime conventions and regulations (IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78): in a case where the RCC responsible for the area where the survivors are recovered cannot be contacted, attempt to contact another RCC, or if that is impractical, any other Government authority that may be able to assist, while recognizing that responsibility still rests with the RCC of the area in which the survivors are recovered), Ocean Viking is now formally requesting Maltese and Italian maritime authorities, as the RCCs better able to assist, to take coordination and support finding a Place of Safety that fulfils the criteria set by Maritime and International Law to disembark safely and as soon as possible the 60 survivors on board the vessel.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message”

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and request further instructions. LYJRCC is informed about intention to head north

” … The current situation on board is stable, but we would like to inform you that the weather is going to deteriorate this evening and having not received a reply to our last email sent on 29th November at 2051Z, we would appreciate if LYJRCC could please provide this vessel with a feedback.

As stated in our previous email the breakdown of the 60 survivors is as follows:

40 adult men, 2 adult female, 18 minors.

While waiting for further instructions from you, we are heading north in order to comply with IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78) and to find a quick solution to disembark all survivors on board Ocean Viking in a Place of Safety.

As we are proceeding north we have offered to assist in the search for a rubber boat in the Maltese SRR.“

Ocean Viking calls LYJRCC on phone. LYJRCC does not authorise transfer of survivors, but leaves it up to both Masters to coordinate

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, copying ITMRCC and MTJRCC, and informs that supply ship asked for assistance

“… Please be aware that Ocean Viking has been contacted by M/V … via VHF, requesting assistance from Ocean Viking.

We are proceeding towards their position and will assist them if needed. We believe that they have 30 survivors on board.

We will request some coordination in this matter.

We will arrive near their position in approx. 1.5hrs”

An offshore supply ship reports to LNCG two boats in distress. The offshore supply ship informs LNCG that all survivors were recovered and are on board

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (copying ITMRCC, MTJRCC and EUNAVFOR MED) and asks for a Place of Safety

“… We are requesting a Place of Safety (as defined in the Annex to the 1979 SAR Convention, paragraph 1.3.2 and in the International Maritime Organization 2004 Rescue Guidelines) to promptly disembark all 60 survivors who are currently on-board.

MV Ocean Viking  in psn 33-37,9N 012-30,1E  at 2044Z

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.“

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, copying ITMRCC and MTJRCC, to inform of rescue completion:

” … Please be advised that Ocean Viking found the wooden boat. Due to the sever overcrowding and problems with stability the rescue was started immediately. We will send a full rescue report as soon as possible. The medical team is currently taking care of the survivors. Right now there are no emergency cases.“

Legal reference:

It’s part of the duties of the Master to inform the RCC responsible for the SRR about the evolution of the situation : “keep the RCC informed about conditions, assistance needed, and actions taken or planned for the survivors (see paragraph 6.10 regarding other information the RCC may wish to obtain);”  (Source: MSC 167(78) )

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and informs of intention to launch RHIBs:

“… We have spotted a light source near the reported position. We are currently launching our rescue boats to investigate. The target is approx.. 2,5nm from our position. Positon 33-50,2N 013-56,2E“

Ocean Viking sends email to LYJRCC and informs that she will proceed towards reported boat in distress:

” … Please be advised that Ocean Viking has altered course and is proceeding towards the possible distress position. We are approx. 21nm away and we are doing 13,5kts. We will continue to inform this RCC with any updates“

Legal reference:

“The Master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance, on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so. This obligation to provide assistance applies regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found …” (Source: SOLAS Ch V Reg 33.1)

Ocean Viking is copied in an email from Alarm Phone to LYJRCC informing about a boat in distress. The reported position of the boat is approximately 21 nm away. Ocean Viking alters course and proceeds towards the target

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

” … MV Ocean Viking declares readiness for SAR operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea, South of Lampedusa and Malta, outside of Libyan Territorial Waters.   
Actual position: 34°36.0’ N  014°31.8’ E   
Proceeding with COG 200°  SOG 10.5 kts, remaining in international water at all times.“

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC and requests a medevac for a pregnant woman and an injured man

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC and MTJRCC copying LYJRCC to request a Place of Safety:

” … MV Ocean Viking conducted 3 rescue operations, on the 19th, 20th and 21th of November, of a total of 215 people in distress. Please refer to MIR reports previously shared for more details.

All operations took place in international waters, in the Libyan SRR. All of them in the strictest adherence to the UNCLOS, SOLAS and SAR conventions

Currently, we have a total of 215 rescued people on board, including 20 women and 66 minors. 54 of the minors are unaccompanied.

There are four pregnant women, one is 8 months into pregnancy, and there are six children below the age of five.

Medical team is providing necessary treatment where needed. The medical team also provides treatment to an injured person suffering from a gun shot wound.

Some of the survivors speak of being held in places of captivity for varying periods of time, and present marks of physical violence.

On the 20th of November, JRCC Tripoli communicated Tripoli as a Place of Safety for the disembarkation of the survivors. Ocean Viking responded on the 21th  of November that Libyan ports cannot be considered as a Place of Safety and requested an alternative POS to disembark survivors on-board. No response has been received so far.

According to international maritime conventions and regulations (IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78): in a case where the RCC responsible for the area where the survivors are recovered cannot be contacted, attempt to contact another RCC, or if that is impractical, any other Government authority that may be able to assist, while recognizing that responsibility still rests with the RCC of the area in which the survivors are recovered), Ocean Viking is now formally requesting Maltese and Italian maritime authorities, as the RCCs better able to assist, to take coordination and support finding a Place of Safety that fulfills the criteria set by Maritime and International Law to disembark safely and as soon as possible the 215 survivors on board the vessel.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.”

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC and requests a medevac for a pregnant woman

Ocean Viking sends an