Read the whole report about this operation here.

Rescue position: 33 11 N 014 16 E

Rescue position: 33 34.7 N 014 02.5 E

Ocean Viking has reasons to believe that this case matches open case from Watch the Med Alarm Phone case AP0110 with a similar position and a similar type of boat and POB.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Rescue position: 33 22N 012 25E

Ocean Viking in position 34 20N 12 50E

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Ocean Viking in position 35 20 N 014 49 E

Ocean Viking in position 34 56 N 012 17 E

Ocean Viking in position 33 53 N 012 49 E

Ocean Viking in position 33 41 N 012 46 E

Rescue position 34 24 N 012 50 E

Ocean Viking in position 33 29 N 012 24 E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Rescue position: 34 56.4N 012 20.8E.

Rescue position: 35 12.1N 012 21.0E

Rescue position: 35 06.0N 012 19.8E

Rescue position: 34 50.4N 012 28.4E

Rescue position: 35 03.7N 012 39.7E

Rescue position: 34 57.0N 012 31.7E

Rescue position: 34 55.3N 012 36.9E

Rescue position: 34 49.1N 012 41.4E

Rescue position: 34 10.0N 012 38.1E

Rescue position: 33 19.7 N 012 45.7 E

Read the whole report about this operation here. 

Rescue position: 33 25 N 014 05 E

Ocean Viking evacuates 39 people from a fiberglass boat in distress and takes the survivors on her board.

Rescue position: 33 24 N 014 41 E

Among the survivors are 21 minors including 3 children under the age of five.

Rescue position: 33 31.5 N 013 24.3 E

Among the survivors are women and minors, including six children under 5 years old.

Rescue position: 33 29 N 013 43

Among the survivors are 61 minors, including 58 unaccompanied.

Rescue position: 33 26 N 013 52 E

Read the whole report about this operation here. 

Among the survivors are 3 women and 5 minors. Among them 4 are unaccompanied.

Rescue position: 34 52.6 N, 012 50.1 E

Among the survivors are 2 unaccompanied minors.

Rescue position: 34 54 N, 012 42 E

Among the survivors are 2 women and 11 minors. All minors are unaccompanied.

Rescue position: 34 06.8 N 012 35.2 E

Among the survivors are 11 women and 34 minors. Among them 28 are unaccompanied, and 3 children are under 5 years old.

Rescue position: 34 41 N, 013 07 E

Among the survivors are 19 women and 44 minors. Among them 17 are unaccompanied, 5 are under 10 years old, 3 under 5 years old and one baby under 1 year old.

Rescue position: 33 28N 013 55E

Among the survivors are 6 unaccompanied minors.

Rescue position: 33 17.4N 012 19E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

A pregnant woman and her husband were transferred onto an Italian Coastguard patrol vessel.

Ocean Viking position: 36 10.8N 015 30E

Rescue position: 34 46.3N 012 45.0E

Rescue position: 33 33,2N 012 50,2E

Rescue position: 33 19.4N 012 23.4E

Ocean Viking position: 33 19.6N 012 19.3E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about the operation here.

Among the survivors are 10 women and 32 minors, among them 29 unaccompanied minors.

Rescue position: 33 34.4N 012 59.2E

Among the survivors are 2 women, one baby and 47 unaccompanied minors.

Rescue position: 33 13.5N 014 01.1E

Latitude: 33.225

Longitude: 014.01833

Among the survivors are 17 unaccompanied minors.

Rescue position: 33 17N 014 22.1E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Rescue position: 33 15 N 013 55 E

Rescue position: 33 05.7 N 014 43.8E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the full report here.

Read the full report here.

Read the full report here.

2 persons were medically evacuated from the Ocean Viking by the Italian coastguard with 4 family members. They both had chronic conditions and needed urgent onshore medical care.

Ocean Viking in position 34 47.2 N 012 30.0 E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Ocean Viking’s position: 34 39.5N 012 22.8E

Ocean Viking position: 34 19.2N 011 27.1E

The rubber boat in distress was spotted via binoculars. Among the survivors are 8 women including one pregnant, 11 minors including 5 unaccompanied.

Position of rescue: 33 21.3N 012 30.9E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 106 survivors were brought to safety onboard Ocean Viking.Among them are 31 men, 8 women, 67 minors, of whom 51 are unaccompanied.

4 men, 2 women, 3 children and 1 toddler are brought to safety onboard Ocean Viking. During the rescue operation, the aft of the fibreglass boat starts sinking. One person onboard the fibreglass boat expresses the will to go back to Libya and to not be evacuated to Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking reports to GACS patrol vessel P-301 via VHF the will of the person remaining on the fibreglass boat. GACS patrol vessel P-301 informs Ocean Viking via VHF that they will take over for his evacuation.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

A pregnant patient requiring intensive care is evacuated from Ocean Viking via an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter with her partner. Ocean Viking in position 35 40.16N 013 30.75E

Ocean Viking position: 33 32.7N 014 05.5E

Ocean Viking position: 33 20.9N 014 11.2E

Ocean Viking position 33 16.23N 014 18.14E

Ocean Viking position: 33 09.6N 014 16.9E

Ocean Viking position: 35 21.4N 012 53.3E 

All 106 people who were in danger on a rubber boat in distress are safely brought onboard Ocean Viking. Among them are 47 minors and 4 women.  

All 149 people who were onboard two rubber boats in distress are safely brought onboard Ocean Viking. Among them are 59 minors and 34 women.  

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, and Alarm Phone informing of the completion of the rescue. 

Latitude: 33°29.04’N Longitude: 012°59.19’E  

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.

Read the whole report about this operation here

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 16 survivors are safely brought onto the Ocean Viking.

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 47 survivors are safely brought onto the Ocean Viking.

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 67 survivors are safely brought onto the Ocean Viking.

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 51 survivors are safely brought onto the Ocean Viking.

Read the whole report about this operation here

The disembarkation of the 276 survivors rescued during three rescue operations is completed.

The Ocean Viking completes the rescue. The 92 survivors are safely brought onto the Ocean Viking.

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 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 403 survivors are on land

On position  34 27.5 N 014 09.8 E , Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and all the 82 survivors are on board.

On position    34 12.1 N 013 47.0 E , Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and all the 102 survivors are on board.

On position 34 45.1 N 012 49.0 E , Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and all the 72 survivors are on board.

On position   33°14.9’N  012°29.2’E, Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and all the 59 survivors are on board.

At position 33°17.8’N 012°45.5’E, with 20 knots of wind and 1.5/2.0 mts of waves, Ocean Viking received last survivors from one of her RIHBs and all 92 survivors are on board

Read the whole report about this operation here

The 39 survivors are on land

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.

Read the whole report about this operation here

The 159 survivors are on land

In position 35° 04.2′ N 012° 39.9′ E, Ocean Viking embarks last survivors from one of her RIHBs

Read the whole report about this operation here

All 60 survivors left Ocean Viking

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Evacuation of survivors from unseaworthy rubber boat with no lifesaving appliances to Ocean Viking is completed. Medical team provides medical care as required.

Evacuation of survivors from unseaworthy fiberglass boat with no lifesaving appliances to Ocean Viking is completed. Medical team provides medical care as required.

Evacuation of survivors from unseaworthy rubber boat with no lifesaving appliances to Ocean Viking is completed. Medical team provides medical care as required.

Read the whole report about this operation here

Read here the whole report about this operation.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Transfer of 63 men, 12 women and 27 minors from unseaworthy rubber boat with no lifesaving appliances to Ocean Viking is completed

Transfer of survivors from unseaworthy rubber boat with no lifesaving appliances to Ocean Viking is completed. Medical team provides medical care as required.

Read the whole report about this operation here

Read here the whole report about this operation.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

A nine-month pregnant woman and her husband are evacuated to Malta via SAR helicopter

Position: 34°55.4’N 013°24.5’E

Ocean Viking at position 33°19.4’N 011°51.37’E

Read the whole report of this operation here.

A recount of disembarcation updated the total of rescued people on board Ocean Viking to 355.

Revision of the CCTV footage confirmed 80 people were embarked during the third rescue, which was a correction of the original tally of 81

Ocean Viking at position 33°32’N 013°48’E

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Aquarius calls ITMRCC to inform that a merchant ship has rescued or is rescuing people. Aquarius informs that either the information provided by ITMRCC earlier was inaccurate or there is a second rescue underway. Aquarius informs that it remains ready to assist any rescue operation and has two doctors, two nurses and a midwife on board to provide medical assistance in case of need.

ITMRCC calls Aquarius informing that the Libyan Coast has completed the rescue of the boat in distress. Aquarius asks for a SAR number and the position of the boat. ITMRCC is unable to provide this information.

Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, Gibraltar, Monaco, Switzerland, Malta

“Dear Sirs,

Please be informed that the Aquarius 2 has received an alert for a rubber boat in distress within the Libyan SRR at pos. 33-35.4 N 012-27-0E with between  100-150 pax on board. This information was received by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft(MPA) “Seagull 95.” Aquarius has tried to contact JRCC Tripoli but has had no answer (this has been consistently the case for a week regarding other SAR events). It is also important to note that we have consistently attempted to contact ITMRCC who in response informs us that we must contact JRCC Tripoli. Consistently, we have been trying all of this with no success. The confusion around the coordination of the rescue operation only delays the intervention and puts the lives of those in danger at further unnecessary risk. Since there is an ongoing conflict in Tripoli right now, perhaps JRCC Tripoli are unable to reply.

At present, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the position of the distress. Seagull 95 has been trying to contact *** ***** (callsign ********  MMSI **********); however, this appears not to have worked. It is important to mention that *** ***** was in contact with MPA Colibri yesterday and was informed of a boat in distress with 30pax near their position. They informed the Colibri that they could not help and then moved away from the boat in distress leaving the people in danger. Again for this reason, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the distress position and will assist immediately if needed as per International Maritime Law. We request that a RCC in a position to reply please coordinate this event for the safety of those people on board the boat in distress. Please send a InMarsat C alert to all vessels in the area. Weather conditions in the area are getting steadily worse over the coming hours and next days.

For any other questions please refer to our electronic logbook, available at onboard-aquarius.org.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards,”

Maritime patrol aircraft on channel 16 calls *** **** twice with no response

Maritime patrol aircraft calls “any vessel in the vicinity” on channel 16

Aquarius responds. Maritime patrol aircraft says that they are trying to contract *** **** who should be in the vicinity of a rubber boat in distress and tasked to conduct a rescue by MRCC but cannot be located. Maritime Patrol aircraft asks Aquarius if they have had contact with *** ****. Aquarius replies negative. The position of the rubber boat in distress is 33°35’4N, 012°27’E and it is heading north at a speed of 5 to 6 knots. 50 NM from Aquarius’ current position.

INMARSAT distress alert is sent to all ships containing same information about a sinking boat containing approx. 100 people and requesting all ships in the area to proceed immediately to the position provided.

INMARSAT alarm to all ships signaling the distress of a boat of 100 people, reported to be sinking north of al Khoms at the last known position of 33 14 N, 014 08 E, at 17h35. Message says to contact JRCC Libya via IMRCC Rome.

LCG calls Aquarius and says it should stay 80 NM from the shore, otherwise they could face legal action in Tripoli. Patrol boat Al Khifa says to Aquarius “you made a big problem, we are not able to take the people onboard because you started taking people. So we will leave the situation to you. You will then immediately go away from the Libyan coast at 94NM, you have disrupted operations in this area, you are not welcome here”.

In a situation of distressl, according to international maritime law, a vessel must proceed as fast as possible to the scene of distress. Therefore, Aquarius explains it cannot move 5 miles away as people are currently in distress and need to be assisted.

(more…)

Aquarius receives Iridium phone call from NGO Alarm Phone, speaking of a wooden boat carrying approximately 50 people heading North from Zuwara, including 20 women, taking on water. The boat is reportedly in position 33°05’0N, 012°12’5 E. Aquarius is in position 33°36’3 N, 011°57’5 E.

Rescue operation of 11 people completed and small fiber glass boat is marked as “SAR”.

Aquarius confirms distress case of a small fiber glass boat heading north at a position of 33°32.9′ N, 011°58.1′ E as boat can be seen bailing out water.

(more…)

Aquarius hears a VHF conversation between a sailing boat and the Tunisian Navy. The former informs the Tunisian Navy that a small rubber boat with 5 “migrants” onboard is in positon 37°28.1N 010°55.0E. The sailing boat provided the 5 people with water. Aquarius is approximately 10 nautical miles from the rubber boat’s position. It alters course and proceeds towards the position provided.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Aquarius stops in the international waters, at the position 35°59.1’N, 013°31.6’E, at 32 Nautical miles from the Italian coast (Linosa Island), and 32 Nautical miles from the Maltese coast, on the line separating the Maltese SRR and the overlapping Italian and Maltese SRR.

Legal reference

[the shipmaster should] seek to ensure that survivors are not disembarked to a place where their safety would be further jeopardized; [Click here for legal reference]

Replying to Aquarius’ request of assistance in designating a place of safety where all survivors can be disembarked as soon as possible, the Italian MRCC informs Aquarius by email that it “did not provide an Italian place of safety because the SAR cases where not coordinated by the Italian MRCC“.

Legal references

• Governments should co-operate with each other with regard to providing suitable places of safety for survivors after considering relevant factors and risks. [Click here for legal reference]
• Parties shall co-ordinate and co-operate to ensure that masters of ships providing assistance by embarking persons in distress at sea are released from their obligations with minimum further deviation from the ships´ intended voyage, provided that releasing the master of the ship from these obligations does not further endanger the safety of life at sea. The Party responsible for the search and rescue region in which such assistance is rendered shall exercise primary responsibility for ensuring such co-ordination and co-operation occurs, so that survivors assisted are disembarked from the assisting ship and delivered to a place of safety, taking into account the particular circumstances of the case and guidelines developed by the Organization. In these cases, the relevant Parties shall arrange for such disembarkation to be effected as soon as reasonably practicable. [Click here for legal reference]
• SOLAS : Contracting Governments shall co-ordinate and co-operate to ensure that masters of ships providing assistance by embarking persons in distress at sea are released from their obligations with minimum further deviation from the ships’ intended voyage, provided that releasing the master of the ship from the obligations under the current regulation does not further endanger the safety of life at sea. The Contracting Government responsible for the search and rescue region in which such assistance is rendered shall exercise primary responsibility for ensuring such co-ordination and co-operation occurs, so that survivors assisted are disembarked from the assisting ship and delivered to a place of safety, taking into account the particular circumstances of the case and guidelines developed by the Organization. In these cases the relevant Contracting Governments shall arrange for such disembarkation to be effected as soon as reasonably practicable. [Click here for legal reference]

The SAR Team and the medical team approached the fiberglass boat for assessment. They report 11 people on board, 9 men and 2 children. The boat and people are in good condition.

The Libyan JRCC informs Aquarius by email that “As coordination authority for SAR ev. 661, now I tell you there is a small white fiber boat with 10 people on board in psn 3350N 01150E at 1115LT, course North, speed 5. Now you go to this position to rescue the people.”

Maltese RCC replies to Aquarius’ email by stating that it is not the appropriate and competent authority to designate or make the necessary arrangements for a place of safety.

Legal references:

According to Chapter 3 of the SAR Convention (click here),

3.1.1 Parties shall co-ordinate their search and rescue organizations and should, whenever necessary, co-ordinate search and rescue operations with those of neighbouring States.

3.1.6. Each party should authorize its RCC: 4. To make the necessary arrangements in cooperation with other RCC to identify the most appropriate place(s) for disembarking persons found in distress.

The rescued vessel was a medium wooden boat. On board were 116 men, women and childen, including 67 unaccompanied minors.

Position of the rescued wooden vessel: 33°30.7′ N, 011°48.5′ E

Easy 1 and Easy 2 launched in the water, preparing the rescue equipment and starting the stabilization of the boat in distress.

2 rescue RHIB launched at sea to provide assistance with rescuers and medical team onboard. All team ready on deck to take in charge the survivors. Massive floating devices ready on deck in case of emergency.

It’s on the duty of the Master “to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost” and “to proceed with all possible speed to the rescue of persons in distress” according to the maritime convention [Click for legal reference]

Aquarius leaves the port of Marseille, France, and starts heading towards the Capo Spartivento, at the southern tip of the island of Sardinia, Italy.

Aquarius is leaving the rescue zone and proceed to North for the technical portcall.

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Italian Coastguard boat CP273 alongside Aquarius to transfer food and non-food items.

Sent email to ITMRCC, informing that by cross-checking testimonies recently collected on board from the people rescued in SAR events 392/393, it is confirmed that two people are reported missing.

Commence sea passage in convoy with Italian Coastguard vessel CP940 and Italian Navy ship Orione P410. The Italian RCC designated the Italian coastguard vessel CP940 as OSC. CP940 will lead the convoy, Aquarius in the middle, Italian navy ship Orione will follow. Safety distance of 1 Nautical miles between the ships. Working channel will be VHF 72.

The transfer operation will be done in 3 shuttles via the Italian Coast Guard speed craft CP325.

Aquarius received email from IMRCC confirming that designated PoS is Valencia.

Workboat of SV Nos Aries alongside MV Aquarius. Start receiving supplies.

Maltese RCC replies to Italian RCC, with Aquarius and other parties in Cc.

Maltese RCC denies their responsibility on the SAR Cases and their obligation to provide a place of safety for the survivors onboard Aquarius.

Received email from IMRCC, with concerned parties in CC, with instruction to stop the vessel in her current position (36°05’N 015°05’E), awaiting for further instruction regarding the PoS.

Received email from IMRCC to RCC Malta with MV Aquarius in CC. IMRCC requests RCC Malta to provide PoS to disembark all survivors on board MV Aquarius.

The Italian MRCC informs that the Italian Ministry of Interior proposes to Aquarius two options for a Place of Safety: Messina or Trapani.

Aquarius replied that she will revert soon with the decision.

End of SAR operations, the ITMRCC instruct Aquarius to proceed to Sicily.

• Place of Safety: not confirmed
• Course: 023°
• Speed: 10.0 Knots

CP312 alongside MV Aquarius. Start transfer operation of 129 survivors.

Last shuttle of survivors from the distress scene to the Aquarius.

Sat. phone call to IMRCC to update situation.

Received instructions on the transfer operations to carry out from ITCG CPs.

RHIB 1 and 2 in the water, start rescue operation.

Aquarius received a phone call from ITMRCC with information that 2 rubber boats with about 120 persons on board each have been spotted few minutes before by EUNAVFOR MED aircraft in position 33°41’N 013°57’E.

Vessel position 34°08’N 013°52’E. Both rubber boats reported to be underway heading north at approx. 4 kts. Designated SAR cases 392 and 393. MV Aquarius instructed to proceed to perform rescue operation on these 2 rubber boats.

Received on Inmarsat-C handover reference from IMRCC, informing that Libyan Coast Guard assumes responsibility on SAR case 391.

Received Inmarsat-C distress alert about SAR case 391, rubber boat adrift in psn 33°26’N 013°47’E at 09:45, departed from Garabulli – Libya. Reported about 150ppl on board.

Italian MRCC informs Aquarius about a SAR operation in progress in oilfield Farwah and instructs Aquarius to assist and to proceed at full speed.