Latest news - SOS MEDITERRANEE

Read all our latest news, press releases statements and stories.

News

ALBATROSS crew looking out at the Mediterranean at the end of a flight in March.

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

NEWS

A body at sea and a system that makes deaths invisible

22.04.2026

SOS MEDITERRANEE / Tess Barthes

SOS MEDITERRANEE / Tess Barthes

NEWS

Migration in the news

18.11.2025

Illustration Image

Max Cavallari / SOS MEDITERRANEE

NEWS

Cooperation between Italy and Libya is deadly. Here’s why:

14.10.2025

Illustration Image

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

NEWS

The void left by EU states has turned into chaos

22.08.2025

Still at Sea

Jean Julien

Jean Julien

STILL AT SEA

Still at Sea

21.04.2026

See all STILL AT SEA

Meet rescued people

Illustration Image

MEET RESCUED PEOPLE

Ayman*, 28: “I had already made the prayer for those who are dying, then I was rescued”

14.04.2026

Illustration Image

Javier Alvarez / SOS MEDITERRANEE

MEET RESCUED PEOPLE

Honoring International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

24.11.2025

Illustration Image

Johanna de Tessieres / SOS MEDITERRANEE

MEET RESCUED PEOPLE

World Children’s Day: 10,387 Lives Saved

19.11.2025

Giannis Skenderoglou / SOS MEDITERRANEE

MEET RESCUED PEOPLE

Precious: Life After the Crossing

20.06.2025

See all MEET RESCUED PEOPLE

Press releases and statements

Illustration Image

PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS

Over 180 dead in one week: SOS MEDITERRANEE demands accountability

8.04.2026

Tess Barthes / Kenny Karpov / SOS MEDITERRANEE

Tess Barthes / Kenny Karpov / SOS MEDITERRANEE

PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS

Ten Years of Rescue in the Central Mediterranean

9.03.2026

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS

Safe Countries and Naval Blockade: Government Targets NGOs and the Rights of People on the Move

12.02.2026

Illustration Image

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS

Boat in Distress Intercepted by Libyan Coast Guard Following Reported Aerial Support in International Waters

15.01.2026

See all PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS

Eyes on the central Med

A vessel of the Libyan Coast Guard approaching an overcrowded boat in distress during an illegal in

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED

EYES IN THE SKY: documenting what happens in the Central Mediterranean

3.04.2026

Illustration Image

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED

Eyes on the Central Mediterranean: Albatross Mission Resumes to Monitor a Deadly Route

9.02.2026

Illustration Image

EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED

[EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED #64] Three SAR vessels detained amidst escalation of humanitarian needs in the central Mediterranean

1.09.2023

Illustration Image

EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED

[EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED #63] Surge of departures from Tunisia and rising insecurity in the Central Mediterranean

28.07.2023

See all EYES ON THE CENTRAL MED

Eyes of the photographer

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

EYES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Eyes Steady, Mind Still: Tess Barthes on the Lookout Duty

19.02.2026

© SOS MEDITERRANEE / Charles Thiefaine

SOS MEDITERRANEE / Charles Thiefaine

EYES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER

[Eyes of the photographer] – Charles Thiefaine

13.12.2024

© SOS MEDITERRANEE / Camille Martin Pana

EYES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER

[Eyes of the Photographer] Camille

1.10.2024

Illustration Image

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

EYES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER

[Eyes of the photographer] “They were singing to regain their dignity”

1.03.2024

See all EYES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Stories from our team members

Illustration Image

STORIES FROM OUR TEAM MEMBERS

Anne, doctor: “On merchant vessel Sider, our intevention made the difference between life and death”

29.01.2026

A white woman with wavy blonde hair wearing a navy blue t-shirt with a stethoscope around her neck

Flavio Gasperini

STORIES FROM OUR TEAM MEMBERS

“Each crew member reacts differently to traumatic events”

9.10.2025

Illustration Image

Michael Bunel/SOS MEDITERRANEE

STORIES FROM OUR TEAM MEMBERS

“Our purpose is to fight for the defense of human life”

18.08.2025

Javier Alvarez / SOS MEDITERRANEE

Javier Alvarez / SOS MEDITERRANEE

STORIES FROM OUR TEAM MEMBERS

Day of the Seafarer

25.06.2025

See all STORIES FROM OUR TEAM MEMBERS

A country in focus

Map highlighting Syria

SOS MEDITERRANEE

A COUNTRY IN FOCUS

A Country in Focus: Syria

12.02.2025

See all A COUNTRY IN FOCUS

Videos

Illustration Image

VIDEOS

❤️2024: Your Solidarity, Their Lifeline

10.01.2025

© Anthony Jean / SOS MEDITERRANEE

NEWS VIDEOS

[VIDEO] Restoring dignity

3.10.2024

Illustration Image

Greta De Lazzaris

VIDEOS

“Io Capitano,” a film by Matteo Garrone that holds deep meaning

13.03.2024

Illustration Image

Tess Barthes / SOS MEDITERRANEE

NEWS VIDEOS

Menstrual health challenges and migration

13.03.2024

SRR

Search and Rescue Region

At the bottom of the chart, in light green, the Libyan SRR, above that, in ...

Read definition in glossary

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a last resort intervention, for when a person is not breathing. It ...

Read definition in glossary

PSC

PSC (Port State Control) is an inspection regime for countries to inspect foreign-registered ships i...

Read definition in glossary

PoB

Number of persons onboard

Read definition in glossary

EGC

Enhanced Group Call :

Excerpt from the GMDSS Manual:

3.7.9 The EGC system, which was developed by In...

Read definition in glossary

ETD

Estimated Time of Departure

Read definition in glossary

PoS

Place of Safety :

Location where rescue operations are considered to terminate. It is also a place w...

Read definition in glossary

Tug

A small vessel designed to tow or push large ships or barges. Tugs have powerful diesel engines and ...

Read definition in glossary

ETA

Expected Time of Arrival

Read definition in glossary

RCC

Rescue Coordination Center A unit responsible forpromoting efficient organization of SAR services a...

Read definition in glossary

SRU

Search and Rescue Unit : A unit composed of trainedpersonnel and provided with equipment suitable ...

Read definition in glossary

SMC

SAR Mission Coordinator

The official temporarilyassigned to coordinate response to an actual or appa...

Read definition in glossary

OSC

On-Scene Coordinator:

A person designated to co-ordinate SAR operations within a specified area.

If...

Read definition in glossary

IOM

International Organisation for Migration :

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmenta...

Read definition in glossary

IMO

International Maritime Organisation :

United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the ...

Read definition in glossary

AFM

Armed Force of Malta :

Maltese maritime authority, in charge of the Maltese SAR Service.

https://afm...

Read definition in glossary

MCP

Mass Casualty Plan :

A situation where there is more than 1 unconscious person to resuscitate. In th...

Read definition in glossary

VHF

Very High Frequency :

ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves (radio ...

Read definition in glossary

RIB

Rigid Inflatable Boat :

Boat with rigid hull and inflatable tubes around the hull, generally with ou...

Read definition in glossary

GPS

Global Positioning System

A specific satellite-based radio navigation system in conjunction with mob...

Read definition in glossary

VTS

Vessel Traffic Service : VTS are shore-side systems which range from the provision of simple inform...

Read definition in glossary

SAR

Search And Rescue :

Search: An operation, normally co-ordinated by a rescue coordination center or r...

Read definition in glossary

MRO

Mass Rescue Operation :

A mass rescue operation (MRO) is one that involves the need for immediate ...

Read definition in glossary

Bow

Front of the ship.

Read definition in glossary

AIS

Automatic Identification System :

The AIS is a maritime transponder, used in VHF frequency for ident...

Read definition in glossary

GACS

The General Administration for Costal Security (GACS) is a Law Enforcement entity established within...

Read definition in glossary

FPSO

FPSO: A floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is a floating vessel used by the o...

Read definition in glossary

SSAS

Ship Security Alert System :

Excerpt from the GMDSS Manual :

3.9.1 […] The SSAS is fitted to a ship ...

Read definition in glossary

MMSI

Maritime Mobile Service Identity number :

All vessels operating on the high seas require a Maritime...

Read definition in glossary

RHIB

Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat :

Boat with rigid hull and inflatable tubes around the hull, generally ...

Read definition in glossary

MRCC

Maritime Rescue Coordination Center

An RCC dealing with maritime SAR incidents.

Read definition in glossary

LNCG

Libyan Navy & Coast Guards

Libyan maritime authority, responsible for the Libyan SAR Service accordi...

Read definition in glossary

ITCG

Italian Coast Guards :

Italian maritime authority, responsible for the Italian SAR Service

http://ww...

Read definition in glossary

JRCC

Joint Rescue Coordination Center

Read definition in glossary

Cable

cable: A cable length or length of cable is a nautical unit of measure equal to one tenth of a nauti...

Read definition in glossary

GISIS

Global Integrated Shipping Information System

https://gisis.imo.org

Website of the International Mar...

Read definition in glossary

Pilot

The vessel’s navigator. An especially knowledgeable person qualified to navigate a vessel through di...

Read definition in glossary

SOLAS

Safety Of Life At Sea

The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most...

Read definition in glossary

GMDSS

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System:

A global communications service based upon automated sy...

Read definition in glossary

Radar

Detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, angle, or velocity of objects. It can...

Read definition in glossary

knots

Nautical speed, in Nautical miles per hour. 1 Knot = 1,852 km/h.

Read definition in glossary

ECDIS

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems :

Ships have long been required to carry nautical ...

Read definition in glossary

UNCLOS

= United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The UNCLOS was adopted on 10th December ...

Read definition in glossary

Easy 1

One of the rescue RHIB onboard MV Ocean Viking with a capacity of 20 to 25 people, twin 115 horsepow...

Read definition in glossary

Easy 2

One of the rescue RHIB onboard Ocean Viking with a capacity of 15 to 20 people, 175 horsepower engin...

Read definition in glossary

Banana

Emergency floating device for critical rescue operation. The Banana is an inflatable tube of 16 mete...

Read definition in glossary

TNMRCC

Tunisian MRCC in Tunis

Read definition in glossary

SPMRCC

Spanish MRCC in Madrid

Read definition in glossary

MTJRCC

Maltese JRCC in Valetta

Read definition in glossary

LYJRCC

Libyan JRCC in Tripoli

Read definition in glossary

ITMRCC

Italian Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Rome)

Read definition in glossary

SITREP

Situation Report :

It gives information about on-scene mission progress and conditions. SITREPs are ...

Read definition in glossary

NAVTEX

NAVTEX provides shipping with navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and...

Read definition in glossary

Target

Object in the water surface or in the radar screen. Onboard the Ocean Viking, the SAR Team calls any...

Read definition in glossary

Course

Direction to where the ship goes to.

Read definition in glossary

IAMSAR

International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue :

IMO guidelines for a common aviation an...

Read definition in glossary

Bridge

Control room from where the ship and communications are managed.

Read definition in glossary

Anchor

An object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; ...

Read definition in glossary

medevac

Medical Evacuation: Life-saving technique based on timely transport and en route medical care of inj...

Read definition in glossary

Frontex

European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The aim of this EU agency is to “help EU countries and Schen...

Read definition in glossary

Colibri

Colibri is an airplane (MCR 4s) operated by the association Pilotes Volontaires. Its mission is to “...

Read definition in glossary

Shelter

Area at sea protected from the weather to leeward from the coast line

Read definition in glossary

Charter

Contract between the shipowner/shipmanager and the company in charge of the operations. SOS MEDITTER...

Read definition in glossary

Heading

Direction to where the ship heads to.

Read definition in glossary

Beaufort

The Beaufort scale is a scale for measuring wind speed.

See below the scale.

Read definition in glossary

on-scene

at the site of an incident

Read definition in glossary

Baseline

Line from which is measured the extent of States’ maritime entitlements.

Read definition in glossary

Moonbird

Airplane conducting a civil aerial reconnaissance mission, run together by Sea-Watch and the Humanit...

Read definition in glossary

Resupply

Action to provide with a fresh supply of food and non-food items.

Read definition in glossary

SAR Case

Reference number of the SAR operation designated by the RCC in charge. There is one SAR Case number ...

Read definition in glossary

Inmarsat

A system of geostationary satellites for world-wide mobile communications services and which support...

Read definition in glossary

distress

A situation wherein there is reasonable certainty that a vessel or other craft, including an aircraf...

Read definition in glossary

rotation

The Ocean Viking makes regular stops in port to refuel, to change the crew, for the maintenance of t...

Read definition in glossary

SAR Team

Team composed by 9 professional seafarers and rescuers, part of SOS MEDITERRANEE. They are in charge...

Read definition in glossary

Underway

A ship is underway when she is in movement towards a direction/destination or drifting. A ship is no...

Read definition in glossary

Liferaft

A liferaft is a self- inflatable emergency evacuation device. It is usually used by ships in case th...

Read definition in glossary

latitude

Distance from the equator in degrees.

Read definition in glossary

Open Arms

MV Open Arms (IMO: 7325887, MMSI 224772000) of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms. Spanish flag. l...

Read definition in glossary

Paris MoU

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control is the official document in which ...

Read definition in glossary

Bunkering

Bunkering is the supplying of fuel for use by ships

Read definition in glossary

high seas

Areas which are not subject to the sovereignty of any State.

Read definition in glossary

SAR State

State which is responsible for the search and rescue of persons using its services and equipment wit...

Read definition in glossary

survivors

Offical term to designate the people rescued from a distress situation.

Read definition in glossary

Sea state

General condition of the surface of the open sea. The state of the sea is described using the Dougla...

Read definition in glossary

Freeboard

Height between the water surface and the main deck of the ship.

Read definition in glossary

SafetyNET

Communications service provided via Inmarsat forpromulgation of MSI, including shore to ship relays ...

Read definition in glossary

longitude

Shortest distance from the Greenwich meridian in degrees.

Read definition in glossary

Main deck

Deck in the aft part of the ship, where are the reception facilities for survivors and where Easy 2 ...

Read definition in glossary

Alan Kurdi

MV Alan Kurdi (IMO: 5285667, MMSI: 211215130) of the German NGO Sea-Eye. German flag. Length 39m, wi...

Read definition in glossary

Channel 16

Marine VHF radio frequency designated as an international distress frequency.

Read definition in glossary

Flag state

The flag state of a merchant vessel is the jurisdiction under whose laws the vessel is registered or...

Read definition in glossary

Patrolling

Situation when the Ocean Viking is standing-by or/and moving at slow speed in an area where distress...

Read definition in glossary

evacuation

Situation where the SAR Team transfer people from the boat in distress, from the water or from the a...

Read definition in glossary

Provisions

Food and non-food items necessary for the crew to live in autonomy for several days and weeks onboar...

Read definition in glossary

lifejacket

Individual floating device which keep the body floating and the head out of the water. This can be a...

Read definition in glossary

Sea-Watch 3

MV Sea-Watch 3 (IMO: 7302225, MMSI: 211281610) of the German NGO Sea-Watch. German Flag. Length 50m,...

Read definition in glossary

Alarm Phone

Alarm Phone is part of Watch The Med project (http://www.watchthemed.net) and is an ‘alarm’ phone nu...

Read definition in glossary

Alert phase

A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an aircraft or marine vessel and of the ...

Read definition in glossary

rescue raft

Inflatable raft used by the SAR Team as emergency floating device during critical rescue operations.

...

Read definition in glossary

Port agency

Ships and the ship’s captain approach a port agency to make sure that proper mooring areas are allot...

Read definition in glossary

Main deck

Deck in the aft part of the ship, where the reception facilities for survivors are.

Read definition in glossary

EUNAVFOR MED

European military operation, also called “operation Sophia”, launched in May 2015 and deployed in th...

Read definition in glossary

Boat-landing

The boat landing is a special ladder surrounded by 2 pillars which allow the RHIB to transfer people...

Read definition in glossary

Coastal State

State that has sovereignty over specific territorial waters as well as sovereign rights in the conti...

Read definition in glossary

Transshipment

Operation of transferring people or material from a ship to another.

Read definition in glossary

SAR Convention

= International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR or Hamburg Convention)

It was adopted ...

Read definition in glossary

Bouri oilfield

The Bouri field lies in water depths between 145m and 183m, offshore the Libyan coast, in the Medite...

Read definition in glossary

Port Authority

A government body (city, county or state) which in international shipping maintains various airports...

Read definition in glossary

Nautical Miles

Nautical distance, 1 minute of latitude. 1 Nm = 1,852 km

Read definition in glossary

Contiguous zone

Area in which a coastal state may prevent and punish infringements of its laws and regulations with ...

Read definition in glossary

Emergency phase

A generic term meaning, as the case may be, uncertainty phase, alert phase or distress phase.

Read definition in glossary

place of safety

Location where rescue operations are considered to terminate. It is also a place where the survivors...

Read definition in glossary

critical rescue

Situation where the people in distress are in an unstable condition and the SAR Team has to deploy a...

Read definition in glossary

Global SAR Plan

A global SAR plan has been developed, defining detailed responsibilities for each member nation and ...

Read definition in glossary

Place of refuge

Place of refuge means a place where a ship in need of assistance can take action to enable it to sta...

Read definition in glossary

SAR Coordinator

Person in charge of the management of the mission for SOS MEDITERRANEE. This person is regularly on ...

Read definition in glossary

innocent passage

As indicated under article 19 of the Montego Bay Convention, a “passage is innocent so long as it is...

Read definition in glossary

SOLAS Convention

= International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS or London Convention)

This text was ...

Read definition in glossary

Operation Themis

Frontex (EU Border and Coast Guard Agency) operation launched in February 2018 to “assist Italy in b...

Read definition in glossary

Jasmund Shipping

Shipping company in charge of the management of Aquarius, including the certification of the ship, p...

Read definition in glossary

Uncertainty phase

A situation wherein doubt exists as to the safety of an aircraft or a marine vessel, and of the per...

Read definition in glossary

Port State Control

Port State Control (PSC) is an inspection regime for countries to inspect foreign-registered ships i...

Read definition in glossary

non-discrimination

Parties shall ensure that assistance be provided to any person in distress at sea. They shall do so ...

Read definition in glossary

Libyan Coast Guard

LNCG

Libyan maritime authority, responsible for the Libyan SAR Service according to the Global SAR P...

Read definition in glossary

Time charter party

A time charter – is a contract for the hire of a named vessel for a specified period of time. – may ...

Read definition in glossary

Search Action Plan

Message, normally developed by the SMC forpassing instructions to SAR facilities and agencies partic...

Read definition in glossary

Rescue Action Plan

A plan for rescue operations normally preparedby the SMC for implementation by OSC and facilities on...

Read definition in glossary

territorial waters

Belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles from the baseline (usually the mean low-w...

Read definition in glossary

Circomare Lampedusa

“Circomare Guardia Costiera Lampedusa” is the Italian Coast Guard based in Lampedusa

Read definition in glossary

Project Coordinator

Person in charge of the management of the mission for MSF.

Read definition in glossary

International waters

Any body of water situated beyond 12 nautical miles from the baseline – outside the territorial wate...

Read definition in glossary

Operation Mare Sicuro

Aerial maritime operation launched in March 2015 by Italy’s Ministry of Defense, to “ensure maritime...

Read definition in glossary

transfer / transhipment

Transfer of rescued people between two ships. This can be done by RIBs, or alongside.

Read definition in glossary

Communication Officer

The person in charge of communication onboard the Ocean Viking serves a crucial role in managing med...

Read definition in glossary

Offshore Supply Vessel

OSV

These are cargo vessels that regularly transport goods, supplies or equipment in support of expl...

Read definition in glossary

Deputy SAR Coordinator

Person in charge of the management of the SAR Team of SOS MEDITERRANEE. This person manages the trai...

Read definition in glossary

Expanding square search

A search pattern used when the last known position of a search object has a high degree of accuracy,...

Read definition in glossary

Search and Rescue Region

An area of defined dimensions, associated with aRCC, within which SAR services are provided.

Read definition in glossary

Research & Evidence Officer

Person in charge of the collection, treatment, archiving and publication of all the information rela...

Read definition in glossary

Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ)

Area where the coastal State has exclusive rights over the natural resources. However the State must...

Read definition in glossary

Paris Memorandum of Understanding

The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control is the official document in which ...

Read definition in glossary