OPERATION - 11 January-24 February 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On February 24, Ocean Viking is granted free-pratique.

Rescue Recap2_22012021

Rescue Recap1_04022021

January 11, 2021

09:02 Ocean Viking leaves the port of Marseille, France.

January 12, 2021

Ocean Viking stops in position 42°41.2N 009°44.8 to conduct drills.

All 3 RHIBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises

January 14, 2021

Ocean Viking stops in position 42°03.1’N 009°46.3’E. RHIBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises.

January 15, 2021

Ocean Viking is at anchorage position 40°58.6N 009°36.3E for necessary repairs to be made on a RHIB onshore.

The repairs needed on a RHIB were successfully made during the day. The Ocean Viking resumes her transit towards the central Mediterranean.

January 19, 2021

Ocean Viking stops in position 33°23.3’N 012°35.8’E. Two RHIBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises.

21:20 Drills are completed. Ocean Viking resumes patrolling.

January 20, 2021

While Patrolling in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region (OV position: 33°24.48’N 012°19.14’E) the Ocean Viking receives an email by Alarm Phone addressed to ITMRCC, with the Ocean Viking, Sea-Watch and Pilotes Volontaires’s airborne operations in copy, reporting a dark rubber boat in distress.

56 people reported on board, including 15 women and 6 sick people.

Reported position of the boat in distress: 33°24′ N 012°48′ E.

The Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, informing that the Ocean Viking is altering her Course towards the distress position for further investigation.

Ocean Viking position: 33°24.4’N 012°18.8’E.

The airplane Colibri of the NGO Pilotes Volontaires sends an email to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC, with the Ocean Viking in copy, to report a dark rubber boat in distress.

25 people are reported onboard.

distress position: 33°29’N 12°43’E.

Moonbird aircraft from Sea-Watch called the Ocean Viking via VHF reporting that it was witnessing the ongoing the interception of the boat reported in distress by Alarm Phone and by Colibri aircraft.

Position: 33°36’N 012°45’E.

The Libyan coastguard calls the Ocean Viking via VHF to inform the Ocean Viking of an ongoing interception with the boat in distress, ordering the Ocean Viking to alter her Course. The Ocean Viking offers her assistance in case of need.

The Ocean Viking reduces her speed and remains in the area.

The Ocean Viking sails towards the wreck to investigate.

The Ocean Viking starts Patrolling towards East.

January 21, 2021

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR (OV position 33°24,16’N 012°42,72’E), the Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYRCC with Sea-Watch and Pilotes Volontaires’ airborne operations and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a white rubber boat in distress with approximately 120 people.

Reported position: 33°19,35N, 012°32,58E

While Heading towards the last known distress position of the first reported distress case, the Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYRCC with Sea-Watch and Pilotes Volontaires’ airborne operations and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a rubber boat in distress with approximately 50 people onboard, including 20 women and 8 children.

Reported position : 33°35,02N 012°37,71E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate the distress case.

The Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYRCC with Sea-Watch and Pilotes Volontaires’ airborne operations and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a boat in distress who had reportedly departed from Garabulli, Libya, with approximately 70 people onboard.

Reported position: 33°07.75N, 014°00.63E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to the LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, informing of the distress alert and of the fact that the Ocean Viking is still Heading towards the first distress case reported.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to the LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, informing them of the distress alert and of the fact that the Ocean Viking is still Heading towards the first distress case reported.

The Ocean Viking is in position: 33°24,26’N 012°33.66’E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that visual contact has been established with an overcrowded rubber boat near position 33°24.3’N 012°33.3’E. The Ocean Viking also informs that she will launch two RHIBs to investigate.

The Ocean Viking deploys two rescue boats (RHIBs), Easy1 and Easy2. The RHIBs proceed towards the boat in distress for further assessment.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that the rubber boat requires immediate assistance. The boat is unseaworthy, adrift, overcrowded, with about 100 people on board all exposed to the elements.

The UNCLOS (Article 98) and SOLAS (Chapter V, Regulation 33-1) conventions as well as the IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78) bound the Ocean Viking to proceed to the assistance of the people on board the boat in distress.

Ocean Viking also informs the JYRCC that she will provide immediate assistance.

10:12 Distribution of life-jackets starts

The Ocean Viking receives an email from the aircraft Colibri of NGO Pilotes Volontaires, addressed to LYRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Sea-Watch airborne operations, Alarm Phone and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a white rubber boat in distress with approximately 30 people onboard.

Reported position: 33°40,00N / 12°41,00E

The Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to the Ocean Viking with LYRCC, ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Sea-Watch airborne operations in copy, reporting an updated GPS position of the third reported distress case.

Reported position: 33°04.926N, 013°56.850E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to the LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone and Pilotes Volontaires’ airborne operations in copy, informing of her intent to head towards the last known position of the distress case she was alerted to by Colibri at 10:38 as soon as the ongoing rescue will be completed.

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.

Latitude: 33.404333
Longitude: 12.561

The aircraft Colibri, of NGO Pilotes Volontaires, calls the Ocean Viking via VHF to report an updated position of the white rubber boat reported in distress with approximately 30 people onboard and a possible interception of the boat by the Libyan JRCC.

The Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYRCC with Sea-Watch and Pilotes Volontaires’ airborne operations and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting an updated position of the rubber boat reported in distress at with approximately 50 people onboard.

Reported position: 33°41,70N 012°41,64E

12:14 All RHIBs are recovered onboard Ocean Viking.

The Ocean Viking receives a call by Moonbird aircraft, from Sea-Watch airborne operations, via VHF informing that the second boat in distress, reported by Alarm Phone at 8:39, this morning has been intercepted by the Libyan coastguard.

12:56 Ocean Viking informs the LYJRCC (with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy) of the completion of the rescue.

13:00 Ocean Viking is heading towards the last known position of the third distress case sent by Alarm Phone.

The Ocean Viking receives a call via VHF by Colibri aircraft (NGO Pilotes Volontaires) informing that Colibri witnessed the interception by the Libyan coastguard of the rubber boat in distress alerted to by Alarm Phone at 8:39, and that the Colibri will resume its search for other potential boats in distress.

The Ocean Viking receives an email from Moonbird aircraft, addressed to Alarm Phone, with LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTJRCC, IOM, UNHCR, Pilotes Volontaires airborne operations and the Ocean Viking in copy, informing that Moonbird most likely spotted the third distress case that had been reported by Alarm Phone at 8:44 this morning.

Moonbird also informs that they witnessed the interception of the boat in distress by the Libyan coastguard.

Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to the LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy providing the Maritime Incident Report and asking for a place of safety for the 119 rescued people on board.

January 22, 2021

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR (OV position: 33°21.89’N 012°52.68’E), Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, alerting to a white rubber boat in distress with approximately 55 people onboard (including 5 pregnant women, 3 newborn babies and 12 children) who departed from Zawiyya, Libya. Some people onboard are reported sick.

Reported position: N 33 20 45 55, E012 55 635

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR (OV position: 33°21.48’N 012°50.11’E), Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, alerting to a black rubber boat in distress with approximately 65 people onboard, who departed from Zawiyya, Libya.

Reported position: N 33° 19 5 25, E 012° 53 44 67

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate the distress cases.

Ocean Viking position: 33°27.8’N 012°55’E

06:45 Ocean Viking informs authorities on the launching of RHIBs for further assessment.

Ocean Viking position: 33°27.82’N 012°56.43’E

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that the rubber boat is unseaworthy and overcrowded with approximately 90 people onboard, including children and women who have no lifejackets and are exposed to the elements.

Ocean Viking also informs that she will investigate another rubber boat, 1NM from her position.

Ocean Viking position: 33 27.6N 012 57.7E

Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, alerting to a blue wooden boat in distress with approximately 77 people onboard, who departed from Zawiyya, Libya.

Reported position: N33° 16.066 E012° 36.429

Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Colibri aircraft, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC, with Alarm Phone, Sea-Watch airborne operations and Ocean VIking in copy, informing of visual contact made with a blue wooden boat with about 50 (visible) people onboard.

Reported position: 33N 19 / 12E 36

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

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone, Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch airborne operations.

09:28 Ocean Viking is heading towards the last known position of the third reported distress case.

Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Moonbird (Sea-Watch airborne operations) addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Alarm Phone with Pilotes Volontaires airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, informing that Moonbird observed the interception of a blue wooden boat in distress (“most likely matching” Alarm Phone’s third distress alert) by Libyan JRCC.

Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to the LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy providing the Maritime Incident Report and asking for a place of safety for the 268 rescued people on board.

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR (OV position: 33°21.65’N 012°18.65’E), Ocean Viking spots a potential boat in distress with binoculars.

Ocean Viking position: 33°21.65’N 012°18.65’E

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy.

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.

Latitude: 33.2339
Longitude: 12.1481

Ocean Viking send an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC with MTJRCC in copy, to inform about the rescue completion.

Subject: MV Ocean Viking request place of safety
Dear Sirs,
As you are aware MV Ocean Viking conducted 4 rescue operations in the Libyan SRR

Rubber boat rescue, Jan 21st : 119 pax
2 Rubber boats rescue, Jan 22nd (am) : 149 pax
Rubber boat rescue, Jan 22nd (pm) : 104 pax
The 372 rescued people on board the Ocean Viking include at least 1 eight months pregnant woman, 19 babies between 0 and 4 years old, 26 children between 5 and 15 years old and 30 single females travelers.
Maritime Incident report for the latest rescue operation and complete breakdown is still to be sent shortly.
We would kindly request your assistance in finding a place of safety and facilitate a prompt disembarkation of all 372 survivors.
We understand that the 372 survivors on board MV Ocean Viking were rescued in a sea area that is outside of the SRRs of Italy and Malta, hence not under primary responsibility of IT MRCC and RCC Malta. However, please note that Ocean Viking has already exhausted the steps in relation to the competent authorities of the Libyan SRR, without any answer.
While waiting for further instructions from you or those RCC you would consider able to assist, due to worsening conditions in the next days of the weather forecast, Ocean Viking is Heading north.
Ocean Viking at 1940Z is in position 33 24.4N 0121 13.6E COG8.8 SOG 007
Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

January 23, 2021

Ocean Viking sends an email to the LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC providing the Maritime Incident Report of the latest rescue and asking for place of safety to promptly disembark all survivors onboard.

374 survivors are onboard Ocean Viking. Among them are 165 minors, including 21 babies. There are also 48 women, including 4 pregnant women, and 161 men.

The claimed nationalities are: Guinea-Conakry, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, CAR, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan (North), Syria, Togo.

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC and MTJRCC to request a medevac providing the Medical Report of a woman diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy requiring medical assistance onshore.

11:31 ITMRCC contacts CIRM (Italian Rescue Centre Telemedical Maritime Advice Service) for assessment of the medical case.

11:37 ITMRCC contacts Ocean Viking by phone and gives authorisation for the MEDEVAC.

Ocean Viking position: 35 21.4N 012 53.3E

Latitude: 35.356667
Longitude: 12.888333

Subject: MV Ocean Viking request place of safety

As communicated yesterday (see message below), and as detailed in the MIR reports previously sent, MV Ocean Viking conducted three rescue operations, on the 21st and 22nd of January 2021, of a total of 374 people in distress.

The operations took place in International waters, in the Libyan SRR, in the strictest adherence to the UNCLOS, SOLAS and SAR conventions.

All operations were conducted with due information of Tripoli JRCC but at no point during the 2 days was there any response or acknowledgment to any of our email communications, nor any answer to our previous requests for a place of safety.

Due to the lack of instructions from competent maritime authorities and the fact that Ocean Viking cannot disembark survivors in Libya (within the framework of the relevant Conventions and Regulations, the European Commission and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees issued clear positions stating that currently Libya does not meet the criteria for being designated as a place of safety for the purpose of disembarkation following rescue at sea (https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b8d02314.html)), yesterday evening, Ocean Viking has requested assistance for a place of safety to MRCC Roma and RCC Malta.

We understand that the 373 survivors now on board MV Ocean Viking (one lady has been medevac’d today with prompt assistance from Italian Coastguard) were rescued in a sea area that is outside of the SRRs of Italy and Malta, hence not under primary responsibility of IT MRCC and RCC Malta.

Please note that, before escalating the request to IT MRCC and RCC Malta, Ocean Viking has already exhausted the steps in relation to the competent authorities of the Libyan SRR.

Recalling the Provisions of Chapter 3 of the SAR Convention, Ocean Viking kindly invites the RCCs to co-operate with those other RCCs they consider able to assist, to make the necessary arrangements to identify the most appropriate place for disembarking these 373 persons found in distress at sea as soon as reasonably possible.

The 373 rescued people on board the Ocean Viking include 1 pregnant woman, 21 babies between 0 and 4 years old, 32 children between 5 and 15 years old and 32 single females travellers..

Many people on board have been victims of various forms of abuse during their journey to Libya and while being held in Libya.

The situation on board, with limited space coupled with the weather conditions, is negatively affecting the people’s mental and physical well-being.

We also would like to recall that this vessel has kindly requested information and instructions regarding 3 further distress alerts received today (please refer to my message dated 2021 01 23 – 1645Z).

While waiting for further instructions from you or those RCCs you would consider able to assist, Ocean Viking at 2033Z is in PoS 35 19.6N 013 31.9E

January 24, 2021

Ocean Viking position: 36 04.6N 013 55.1E

16:20 Italian MRCC informs Ocean Viking by phone of the designation of Augusta, Sicily, as a PoS.

January 25, 2021

14:30 Upon visit on board of the USMAF medical team, Ocean Viking is allowed ‘Free Pratique’ by the harbour health authorities.

January 26, 2021

13:24 All survivors disembarked in Augusta, Sicily.

February 2, 2021

11:40 Ocean Viking leaves the port of Augusta, Sicily.

February 3, 2021

Ocean Viking receives an email from the aircraft Colibri of NGO Pilotes Volontaires, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Sea-Watch airborne operations, Alarm Phone and the Ocean Viking in copy, reporting a blue wooden boat in distress with approximately 90 people onboard.

Reported position: 33°39.40’N 12°10.46’E

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate the distress case. Ocean Viking is in position 33 19.3N 014 13.0E, at about 104NM from the potential distress case.

Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Colibri (Pilotes Volontaires airborne operations) addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTJRCC, with Sea-Watch airborne operations, Alarm Phone and Ocean Viking in copy, informing that the distress case they alerted to had been intercepted by the Libyan coastguard.

February 4, 2021

Ocean Viking position: 33°07.43’N 014°18.98’E

06:35 Ocean Viking launches RHIBs for further investigation.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, informing that the black rubber boat is overcrowded and that no one is wearing life saving appliances.

Ocean Viking position: 33°08’N 014°18’E

Ocean Viking position: 33 09.6N 014 16.9E

Latitude: 33.09
Longitude: 14.16

Ocean Viking send an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC with MTJRCC in copy, informing about the rescue completion. Women and children are among the survivors.

Ocean Viking (position: 33°15.73’N 014°11.76’E) receives an email from the aircraft Moonbird of NGO Sea-Watch addressed to Pilotes Volontaires airborne operations and the Ocean Viking, with Alarm Phone in copy, relaying a potential distress case in position: 33°10’N 014°25’E

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate the distress case. Ocean Viking is in position 33°15.38’N 014°12.05’E, about 13 NM from the potential distress case.

12:01 Ocean Viking establishes visual contact with the reported distress case.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations in copy, informing that Ocean Viking established visual contact with a white rubber boat, with approximately 100 persons onboard. Ocean Viking also informs that she will launch RHIBs to perform an assessment.

12:15 Ocean Viking launches two RHIBS and rafts.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations in copy, informing that the rubber boat is overcrowded with approximately 100 persons onboard including women and children, no one has lifesaving appliances and the crowd is agitated. Ocean Viking also informs that she will provide immediate assistance to the people in distress and rescue them without delay.

Ocean Viking position: 33°14.6’N 014°18’E

12:38 Life jackets distribution starts.

Ocean Viking position 33 16.23N 014 18.14E

Latitude: 33.16
Longitude: 14.18

Ocean Viking send an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations in copy, informing about the rescue completion. Women and children are among the survivors.

Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to the LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy providing the Maritime Incident Report and asking for a place of safety for the 237 survivors on board.

Among the survivors are 3 pregnant women (1 seven months pregnant), 5 babies between 0 and 4 years old, 30 children between 5 and 15 years old and 27 single women. 83 minors are unaccompanied.

February 5, 2021

06:53 Ocean Viking establishes visual on a potential distress case.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, informing that Ocean Viking established visual contact with a potential boat in distress about 5NM away. Ocean Viking also informs that she will further investigate.

Ocean Viking position 33°13’N 014°14.7’E

Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, alerting to a black rubber boat in distress with 70 to 125 people onboard (including 13 women, and 15 children) who departed from Al Khoms, Libya. Alarm Phone also informs of a potential white rubber boat nearby.

Reported position: N33°11′ 26 89, E014° 02′ 27 88

Ocean Viking receives a phone call from Alarm Phone regarding the distress alert. The Bridge informs Alarm Phone that Ocean Viking is already engaged in a distress situation and will look after the distress case Alarm Phone alerted to while the current operation is completed.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, informing that she will launch RHIBs to investigate the potential distress case. She also informs that the rubber boat is overcrowded.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, informing that the rubber boat is unseaworthy and overcrowded. No one has life jackets.

Ocean Viking position: 33°20.9’N 014°11.2’E

Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC and MTJRCC with Pilotes Volontaires and Sea-Watch’s airborne operations, UNHCR and Ocean Viking in copy, sharing an updated position of the distress case. Alarm Phone also informs that the people onboard are still urgently asking for help.

08:24 Life jackets distribution starts.

Ocean Viking position: 33 20.9N 014 11.2E

Latitude: 33.209
Longitude: 14.112

Ocean Viking send an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC and MTJRCC in copy, informing about the rescue completion.

Ocean Viking resumes patrol in the Eastern Libyan Search and Rescue Region.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone and Pilotes Volontaires airborne operations in copy, informing of visual contact being established with the black rubber boat in distress alerted to by Alarm Phone. The boat is 2,8 NM away.