“Dear Sirs, Madams,

Please find attached the Maritime Incident Report of the event occurred to the MV Ocean Viking in the LYSRR on the 25^th march 2023.

MV Ocean Viking position at 1534Z: 33 43N 013 19E

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking“

Ocean Viking in position 33 35.0N 013 55.6E

Ocean Viking in position 33 25.0N 013 46.8E

Ocean Viking in position 33 22.8N 013 47.7E

Ocean Viking in position 33 18.4 N 013 52.9 E sends the following email to the maritime authority:

“Dear Sirs, Madams,

At 0740Z Ocean Viking, in position 33 18.4N 013 52.9E, received by email the attached distress alert from Alarm Phone (see email below)

MV Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the target, about 7NM away, ready to provide first assistance.

MV Ocean Viking COG 296

MV Ocean Viking will keep you informed.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message and inform of your SAR action plan.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking”

Ocean Viking in position 33 18,40N 013 52,90E receives the following information from Watch The Med – Alarm Phone: “GPS-position with timestamp: N 332145 E 0134556 @ 08:40 CET 25 March. 70-84 people (including 5 women, and 3 children) Water is entering, the rubber boat is starting to deflate.”

Read the whole report about this operation here.

Rescue position: 33 11 N 014 16 E

Ocean Viking position: 33 11 N 014 16 E

Ocean Viking position 33 12 N 014 16 E

Reported distress position: N 33 092193 E 014 173127

The boat is blue, plastic. There are 5 women, 2 children. The people on the boat are urgently asking for help.

Ocean Viking position: 33 13 N 014 14 E

Updated distress postion: N 33 081675, E 014 12084

Ocean Viking position: 33 17 N 013 58 E

Reported distress position: N 33 081675, E 014 12084

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

Ocean Viking position: 34 47.1 N 015 50.0 E 

While on course towards the reported distress position, Ocean Viking establishes contact with the ship VSC Triton, in the vicinity of the reported boat in distress. VSC Triton informs Ocean Viking that she is requested by Malta RCC to investigate the reported distress case and provide a situation report. 

Unable to obtain instruction from Malta RCC, Ocean Viking keeps proceeding towards the reported distress position. 

Reported distress position: 34 59 N 016 22 E  

Ocean Viking position: 34 22 N 014 06 E 

No reported distress position.

Reported distress position is unclear, with incorrect numbers.

Ocean Viking position 33 24.9 N 013 59.0 E.

Reported distress position: 34 ?9.46 N 011 58.85 E (Black plastic)

Ocean Viking position: 33 28.5 N 014 00.5 E

No clear reported distress position.

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.

Reported distress position: 33 26 15 32 N 013 59 12 65 E (Blue rubber boat – 85 POB)

The persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance.

The blue rubber boat is overcrowded, unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, with a very low freeboard and taking in water, about 85 people on board, presence of at least 2 babies, 4 children, women, no lifejackets, all exposed to the elements and these people are requiring to be rescued.

Ocean Viking position: 33 31 N 014 02 E

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.

Updated distress position: 33 33 N 014 00 E

Ocean Viking position: 33 20 N 014 10 E

Reported distress position: 33 29 N 013 59 E

Ocean Viking position: 33 11.6 N 014 16.0 E

Reported distress position: in position 33 29 N 013 59 E.

Updated distress position: 33 17 N 012 51 E

No reported distress position. OV does not have enough information to engage in SAR Operation.

Reported distress position: 33 43 38.84 N 012 23 01.39 E

Ocean Viking position: 33 12 N 014 15 E (100 NM away)

GB is closer to the distress case (50NM away) and altered her course towards the reported distress position.

Reported distress position: N 033°010’044.449” E012°027’012.455”

Ocean Viking position: 33 15 N 014 03 E (80 Nm away)

Reported interception position: 33 23 N 012 07 E

Last Known Position: 33 38 N 011 47 E

No clear reported distress position. Ocean Viking doesn’t have enough information to engage in a SAR Operation.

Reported distress position: 34 53 41.5 N 011 26 03.1 E

Ocean Viking is more than 150NM away.

Reported distress position: 33 32 N 011 46 E

Ocean Viking position: 33 08 N 014 30 E (140 NM away from the reported distress position)

The Geo Barents informs that she is close to the reported distress position.

Dear Sirs,

PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT THE NATIONAL COMPETENT AUTHORITY CONFIRMED THE PORT OF SAFETY: ANCONA.

Best Regards

As per current forecast, the weather in the central Mediterranean Sea and in the Adriatic Sea will deteriorate significantly from Monday 09 January.
General survivor condition on embarkation was fragile with significant exposure to fuel including burns and intoxication, exhaustion and general weakness. In addition, several survivors have presented with chronic conditions and long untreated medical issues. Repeated exposure to poor weather during a prolonged journey could be detrimental to survivor’s wellbeing and could pose a significant risk to their health in the coming days underway to Ancona.

‘Dear Sirs,

please be informed that the National Competent Authority has assigned you the following port of safety: ANCONA.

For the above, please provide this MRCC your ETA in ANCONA harbour.

Best Regards

Rescue position: 33 22N 012 25E

The Rubber boat is overcrowded, about 40 people on board, no lifejackets, women, all exposed to the elements. Survivors require assistance.

Distress phase: the boat and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance. RHIBs initiate to distribute lifejackets

Ocean Viking position: 33 23N 12 24E

Uncertainty phase: uncertainty exists as to the safety of the boat and its occupants.

Ocean Viking position at 23:49:  33 33N 012 25E

Ocean Viking is 102 NM away from the known distress position.

The duty officer replies to call MTRCC, despite Ocean Viking informing Italian duty officer of the failed previous attempts to contact Maltese RCC.

Ocean viking position: 33 31N 012 28E

Distress position: 35 12N 011 57E

Ocean Viking Position: 31 17N 12 21E

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to the French MRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends an email requesting assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends an email requesting assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends an email requesting assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends an email requesting assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends requests for cooperation and coordination to identify a Place of Safety to 3 separate RCCs in France, Spain and Greece in 3 distincts emails.

Ocean Viking sends an email requesting assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for assistance in finding a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends requests of cooperation and coordination to identify a Place of Safety to 3 separate RCCs in France, Spain and Greece in 3 separate and independent emails.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends requests of cooperation and coordination to identify a Place of Safety to 3 separate RCCs in France, Spain and Greece in 3 separate and independent emails.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

Ocean Viking sends a request for a Place of Safety to ITMRCC, with the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

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

“MV Ocean Viking has requested to the competent authorities of the Libyan SRR and Maltese SRR the indication of 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.
However, the Libyan RCC and Maltese RCC have been unresponsive to such requests.
Therefore, MV Ocean Viking is now addressing your MRCC to request assistance in identifying a Place of Safety and facilitate a prompt disembarkation of all survivors on board.
While the 234 survivors on board MV Ocean Viking were rescued in a sea area that is outside of the SRR of Italy, please note that MV Ocean Viking has already exhausted the steps in relation to the competent authorities of the Libyan and Maltese SRRs.
MV Ocean Viking is waiting for further instructions.
Best regards
Bridge
Ocean Viking”

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

“MV Ocean Viking is requesting the indication of 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 all 234 survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.”

“Dear Sirs/Madams,

Please be informed that, at 1635 UTC in position 35 20 N 014 49 E, MV Ocean Viking completed the recovery operation of the persons in distress. 30 (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 35 20 N 014 49 E

Ocean Viking in position 35 20 N 014 49 E informs that she launched 2 RHIBs to assess the situation: the white fiberglass boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 30 people on board seeking assistance, without lifejackets nor lifesaving appliances, all persons 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.”

Ocean Viking in position 35 20 N 014 49 E assesses the distress situation: the white fiberglass boat is unseaworthy, overcrowded, with about 30 people on board seeking assistance without lifejackets nor lifesaving appliances, all persons exposed to the elements. 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.

Ocean Viking informs that she spotted a white small boat by binoculars from the bridge about 6NM away. Apprehension exists as to the safety of the persons on board. Ocean Viking reports that she called MTRCC via Sat phone to inform about the visual on the boat in ditress and its intention to launch RHIBs for assessment. The operator copied the information and will relay to the Duty Officer. Ocean Viking informs that she is ready to provide assistance.

Ocean Viking in position 35 17 N 014 44 E.

Ocean Viking informs that she called MTRCC via Sat Phone to report the conversation with a NATO maritime patrol aircraft about a boat in distress in position 35 05 N 014 57 E. Ocean Viking reports that the NATO aicraft requested the Ocean Viking to proceed to distress position. Ocean informs that she still responding to the subject case and is ready to provide assistance.

The position given by the NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft appears to match with the distress case that Ocean Viking was already responding to.

Ocean Viking informs that she heard a Mayday Relay call and message on VHF ch.16 from an unidentified Sailing Yacht reporting a boat in distress in position 34 57 N 015 03 E. Ocean Viking reports that she called MTRCC via Sat phone to relay this information who asked to send an email. Ocean Viking informs that she is still proceeding to the distress position. ETA 2 hours.

The mayday relay is reporting a boat in distress in position 34 57 N 015 03 E. MV Ocean Viking in position 34 03 N 014 14 E is responding to the alert.

The Air Liaison Officer of Seabird 3 reports that people do not wear any life saving equipment and that this is an urgent distress case and immediate assistance is required.

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

“Please note MV Ocean Viking requested to the competent authorities of the Libyan SRR the indication of 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. However, the Libyan RCC has been unresponsive.

MV Ocean Viking is requesting your RCC to coordinate in identifying a Place of Safety, where all the 202 survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.”

Ocean Viking in position 34 56 N 013 04 E receives the information that a boat is in distress and require immediate assistance. According to Alarm Phone the persons onboard are suffering from dehydration and exhaustion.

“Dear Sirs/Madams,

Please be informed that, at 2107 UTC in position 34 56 N 012 17 E, MV Ocean
Viking completed the recovery operation of the persons in distress. 56
(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 34 56 N 012 17 E

Ocean Viking informs that the boat in distress has been located in position 34 56 N 012 17 E: about 60 persons, including women and children, adrift with no navigational aids or lifesaving appliances. 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.

Ocean Viking in position 34 53 N 012 23 E

Ocean Viking in position 34 28 N 012 57 E sends an email MTRCC, with ITMRCC in copy, about the distress case reported by Seabird 3. Ocean Viking informs that she is responding to this alert, ready to provide assistance.

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.”

Ocean Viking sends the MIR reports to JRCC Tripoli with MTRCC, ITMRCC and the Norwegian Maritime Authority in copy.

“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

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.“