OPERATION - 13-18 January 2026

09:40 The Ocean Viking departs from Syracuse

14:35 The Ocean Viking is copied is in copy of an email by Alarm Phone, alertingof AP0017, a black wooden boat in distress with 88 persons on board.

16:07 The Ocean Viking initiates search pattern and awaits for more info on Alarm Phone 0017

19:32 The Ocean Viking is copied on an email in which Alarm Phone alerts authorities of a rubber boat in distress with 60 persons on board north of Libya

22:23 The Ocean Viking is copied on an email from the SAR vessel SOLIDAIRE informing that it will assist case Alarm Phone 0019, involving a black rubber boat with 30 persons on board, including two women, as it is 17 NM closer to the last known position.

04:09 The Ocean Viking receives an email from SAR Vessel SOLIDAIRE informing that they have carried out the rescue of 26 people, including five women.

08:46 The Ocean Viking is copied on an email from Alarm Phone alerting to a distress case (AP0021) involving a blue wooden boat with 38 persons on board, which allegedly departed from Tripoli at 04:00 on the same day

13:57 The Ocean Viking overhears a Mayday relay to all ships via VHF, but the transmission is broken, making it impossible to determine the full position.

14:47 The Ocean Viking overhears a second Mayday relay broadcast to all ships via VHF, including a position, which is answered by Lampedusa Radio.

15:10 The Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via satellite phone. The call is answered and then disconnected.

15:19 The Ocean VIking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with ItalianMRCC, RCC Malta, and the NMA in copy) to inform that a Mayday relay regarding a rubber boat has been received, and that the Ocean Viking is proceeding toward the distress case.

18:21 The Ocean Viking spots an unknown aircraft circling the area.

18:40 The Ocean Viking spots a Libyan Coast Guard patrol vessel searching with a light.

18:45 The Ocean Viking changes course to the EAST following a possible sighting of the Libyan Coast Guard 8nm away as a preventive manoeuvre to increase distance

18:50 The Ocean Viking calls the Libyan Coast Guard via VHF on CH16

18:54 The Ocean Viking calls the Libyan Coast Guard via VHF on CH10

18:55 The Ocean Viking calls the Libyan Coast Guard via VHF

19:10 The Ocean Viking overhears the Libyan Coast Guard calling an unknown aircraft via VHF referring to it as “Plane Malta.”

20:04 The Ocean Viking is copied on an Alarm Phone alert regarding a black rubber boat in distress (AP0025) with 53 persons on board, including women and children.

20:36 The Ocean Viking overhears the unknown aircraft referred to by the LYCG as “Plane Malta” issuing a Mayday relay via VHF to all ships, communicating a specific position

20:46 The Libyan Coast Guard instructs the Ocean Viking with an intimidating tone to leave the area with the words “ “GO ZERO ZERO ZERO” “Leave area” “On Scene Commander”.

20:48 The Ocean Viking alters course northbound as instructed by the Libyan Coast Guard.

21:23 The Ocean Viking has visuals of flashing lights on APcase 0025

21:24 The Libyan Coast Guard contacts the Ocean Viking via VHF repeating the previous instructions of leaving the area with intimidating tone.

21:28 The Ocean Viking assesses the Libyan Coast Guard vessel is on a collision course with the ship.

21:38 The Libyan Coast Guard contacts the Ocean Viking via VHF repeating the previous instructions of leaving the area with intimidating tone.

21:38 The Ocean Viking has visual on the Libyan Coast Guard intercepting the people onboard the distress case AP0025 with a dangerous manoeuvring.

09:47 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with ITMRCC, RCC Malta and NMA in copy) communicating that it witnessed the interception of a rubber boat with around 53 people (AP0025), recalling that a rescue is only completed upon disembarkation in a Place of Safety, which Libya is not.

Dear duty officer,

At 20:28 UTC on the 14th January 2026, MV Ocean Viking in position 34 12 N 013 22 E the interception of a black overcrowded rubber boat with approximately 53 POB 1nm away from this vessel. The interception was carried out by an unidentified Libyan Coastguard unit.

This vessel believes this case matches with the mayday relay call issued at 13:47 UTC on the 14th January 2026 which we also believe matches distress case AP0025 alerted by Alarmphone – Watch the Med by email sent at 19:04 UTC on the 14th January 2026.

Considering these events this vessel has stopped the search of this boat in distress.

We wish to kindly remind that in accordance with international law a rescue can only be considered completed when the people are brought to a place of safety. We respectfully recall that Libya cannot under any circumstances be considered a place of safety. We therefore urge you to take immediate steps to coordinate the disembarkation of these people in distress in full compliance with international law.

Best regards

Bridge

Ocean Viking

Latitude: 33.28
Longitude: 12.18

11:10 The Ocean Viking overhears aircraft Eagle 1 transmitting a Mayday relay to all ships on VHF channel 16.

11:51 The Ocean Viking hears aircraft Eagle 1 transmitting a Mayday relay via VHF channel 16 to Lampedusa Radio regarding a rubber boat with 50 persons on board.

15:29 The Ocean Viking is in copy of an email from Alarm Phone informing of a distress case involving an iron boat (AP0027) with 45 persons on board, including women and children, which reportedly departed from Sfax on 14 January. The position is unknown.

15:30 The Ocean Viking is in copy of an email from Alarm Phone informing of a distress case involving a Zodiac rubber boat (AP0028) with 53 persons on board, including women and children, which reportedly departed from Sfax on 14 January. The position is unknown.

15:33 The Ocean Viking is in copy on an email from Alarm Phone informing of a distress case involving a Zodiac rubber boat (AP0029) with 42 persons on board, including women and children, which reportedly departed from Sfax on 14 January. The position is unknown.

18:55 The Ocean Viking is in copy on an email from Alarm Phone informing of a distress case involving a fiberglass boat (AP0030) with 44 persons on board, including women and children, which reportedly departed from Sfax on 14 January.

19:49 Ocean Viking is in copy of an email from Alarm Phone with an updated position for AP0030 case.

23:03 The Ocean Viking is in copy of on an email from Alarm Phone informing of an updated position for case AP0030 and reporting that several merchant vessels are in the vicinity, including Merchant Vessel SIDER.

04:20 The Ocean Viking is copied on an email from Alarm Phone informing of a distress case involving a plastic boat (AP0031) with 34 persons on board, including babies and children, The boat is estimated to be 55–60 nautical miles from the Ocean Viking.

04:45 The Ocean Viking changes course.

05:04 The Ocean Viking calls the JRCC Tripoli. No answer.

05:14 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with the ITMRCC, and the NMA in copy) to inform it has received an Alarm Phone alert AP0031 that it received an Alarm Phone alert (AP0031) about 34 people on a plastic boat in distress. The Ocean Viking is proceeding toward the target, 57 NM away, at 7.0 knots, after unsuccessful attempts to reach the JRCC by satellite phone.

05:59 The Ocean Viking is in copy on an email from Alarm Phone with updates for AP0031: 50 people on a rubber boat (previously 34) report water ingress, two days at sea, exhaustion, and sickness.

Subject: Re: UPDATE AP0031-2026 - SOS from Central Med

Dear officers on duty,

We talked again with the people in distress.

They reported that water is entering the boat.

Position : N33402728, E0115936 @05:45 CET 16JAN

They reported their boat is a zodiac

They said they are 50 not 34.

They are exhausted, reported 2 days at sea, people are sick and they are in need of assistance.

Thanks for your attention

Emma Cummins

Alarmphone- Watch the Med

08:20 The Ocean Viking is in copy on an email from Alarm Phone that reports that AP0030 has been rescued by the merchant vessel Merchant Vessel SIDER.

08:37 The Ocean Viking is in copy of a communication by the IMRCC via Inmarsat C that informs on behalf of the Libyan Coast Guard of a rubber boat adrift and in distress with 50 persons on board and requests to divert course accordingly.

09:45 The Ocean Viking overhears a Mayday relay via VHF channel 16 by aircraft Eagle 1, reporting a black rubber boat adrift with approximately 40 persons on board.

10:01 The Ocean Viking is in copy on an email from Alarm Phone that reports that Merchant Vessel SIDER is requesting a medical evacuation and immediate action, as assistance is urgently required for the 43 rescued persons of distress case AP0030 who need medical care. The merchant vessel is not medically trained or equipped to provide such assistance.

10:32 The Ocean Viking has visual contact with distress case AP0031 and instructs the crew to prepare for rescue.

11:02 All RHIBS are in the water.

11:03 The Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Satellite phone. Call answered and then hung up.

11:06 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with the ITMRCC, and NMA in copy) that it is 1 NM from distress case with 40 People on Board an overcrowded rubber boat without life-saving equipment and proceeds to rescue after unsuccessful attempts to contact JRCC Tripoli.

11:09 The Ocean Viking calls Aircraft EAGLE 1 via VHF CH16 to acknowledge the distress case and inform of intention to intervene and rescue.

11:11 RHIB EZ2 approaches the boat in distress, assesses the situation, and begins distributing life jackets.

11:57 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard, IMRCC, and the NMA, informing about having operated the rescue of 46 people, stating that it may correspond to the AP0031 case, and requests a Place of Safety for disembarktion of the survivors

12:27 The Ocean Viking emails RCC Malta (with ITMRCC, and NMA in copy) regarding a medical evacuation request received by Alarm Phone on behalf of Merchant Vessel SIDER and proceeds to the vessel’s Last known position to provide assistance.

14:00 The Ocean Viking is in copy of an Alarm Phone email informing of a distress case (AP 0032) with 80 People on Board and provides position.

14:26 The Ocean Viking emails RCC Malta (with the ITMRCC, and the NMA in copy) offering assistance and explaining that despite having just concluded the recovery operation for AP0031 and being engaged following a medical evacuation request by Merchant Vessel SIDER (AP0032) it remains able to deviate course and provide assistance if required.

14:48 The ITMRCC emails the Ocean Viking to inform that Palermo has been assigned as the Place of Safety and reports that there is no coordination for AP0032 (80 persons on board), as the case did not occur within the Italian SRR.

15:02 The Ocean Viking emails the ITMRCC (with the RCC MALTA in copy) about the delayed arrival at Place of Safety to assist Merchant Vessel SIDER.

15:12 The ITMRCC authorises delay

16:08 The Ocean Viking is in copy of an Alarm Phone email that informs of updated position of AP case 0032 with 80 People on Board.

21:13 The Ocean Viking receives an email from the ITMRCC informing that the Alarm Phone 0032 with 80 People on Board was rescued by Italian Coast Guard patrol vessel.

11:02 The Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli to inform them of the ongoing operation, after contacting Merchant Vessel SIDER at 10:58 to assess the situation on board. However, communication with JRCC Tripoli is not possible as the operator does not speak English.

11:28 The Ocean Viking has visuals on the Merchant Vessel SIDER

12:10 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with the ITMRCC, and the NMA in copy) about the operation.

12:34 Rhibs are launched.

13:23 The Ocean Viking activates a mass casualty plan following assessment of the physical conditions of the people on board the Merchant Vessel SIDER.

13:48 Evacuation completed: all 44 survivors on board the Ocean Viking.

13:58 The Ocean Viking emails the Libyan Coast Guard (with MRCC ITMRCC, and NMA in copy) that the recovery operation is completed and the Ocean Viking is heading to the assigned Port of Safety in Palermo.

20:33 The Ocean Viking calls MRCC Rome to inform them that the Merchant Vessel SIDER has lost propulsion and is requesting assistance.

02:45 The Ocean Viking SAR Coordinator receives a call from the merchant vessel SIDER who reports that they are unable to resolve issue, the crew requires medical attention, requests Ocean Viking to turn around and assist.

03:24 The captain of merchant vessel SIDER emails the authorities, SAR vessels, and Alarm Phone .

09:40 The Ocean Viking is informed through Vesselfinder that the merchant vessel HYDRA is on scene to assist Merchant Vessel SIDER.

09:56 The Ocean Viking reaches the bay of Palermo.

14:28 Disembarkation completed.