OPERATION - 15 February-March 8 2020

Wind: SE 4 knots – Sea state: 3

42°10.9’N 005°49.6’E

Wind: E 2 knots – Sea state: 2

39°05.0’N 007°47.4’E

Wind: S 3 knots – Sea state: 2

Whilst Underway towards the Libyan Search and Rescue Region (OV Position: 36°26.8’N 011°42.7’E), the Ocean Viking receives an email sent by Alarm Phone and addressed to LYJRCC, ITMRCC, MTRCC with the Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, reporting a boat in distress adrift for more than 2 hours.

87 people reported on board, including 1 woman.

Reported position: 33°12.5’N 014°23.5’E

The Ocean Viking sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that the Ocean Viking is altering her Course and is proceeding at best possible speed to assist if need be.

Distance to reported distress position: 228 NM – ETA: 13:00 18/02

Alarm Phone forwards an email to the Ocean Viking, originally sent to them by LYJRCC informing that a rubber boat with approximately 90 persons on board was intercepted around 21:15.

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCCand ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a wooden boat that departed from Sabratah or Zuwara on February 17th at about 5 or 6 am.

Reported position: 34°12.0’N 012°18.6’E at 05:24 28/02/2020

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with MTRCC and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate and assist if need be and that the Ocean Viking position is situated 22 NM from the reported position.

Alarm Phone sends an email to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC (with the Ocean Viking in copy) updating the position of the reported boat in distress.

Updated position: 34°14.0’N 012°21.0’E at 06:03 28/02/2020

The Ocean Viking replies by email to LYJRCC and Alarm Phone, with MTJRCCand ITMRCC in copy, that the update was received.

The Ocean Viking is communicating by VHF with Spanish EUNAVFOR MED maritime patrol aircraft COTOS, which confirms the position of the wooden boat in distress.

Position confirmed: 34.14°N 012.22°E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and Alarm Phone, with MTJRCC and ITMRCC in copy, to inform that visual contact has been established with an overcrowded wooden boat near position 34°17.2’N 012°24.5’E. It also informs that it will evaluate the situation.

The Ocean Viking deploys her two rescue boats (RHIBs). All three vessels proceed towards the boat in distress for further assessment.

The Ocean Viking sends both RHIBs for closer assessment.

Ocean Viking Position at 07:35: 34°17.2N 012°24.5E

The close-up assessment of the two RHIBs reports that the wooden boat was overcrowded, with approximately 90 persons on board. All are exposed to the elements and none are equipped with life jackets.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in copy, informing that a rescue operation is being initiated.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer the phone.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC again. The LYJRCC answers, informing that no one speaks English, only Arabic.

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.

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCCand ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a rubber boat.

Reported position at 14:25 : 33°30 N 012°16 E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC with Sea-Watch 3 and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that her Course and speed have been altered to investigate and assist if need be and that the Ocean Viking position is situated 1 hour away from the reported position.

As the Ocean Viking establishes a visual contact with the Target, the SAR team is preparing for rescue.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Vikings tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking calls the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC answer the phone. The Ocean Viking asks if somebody speaks English. The LYJRCC does not answer in English. The Ocean Viking mentions the words “rubber boat”, “people in distress”, “migrants”. The communication is not possible.

At 15:56, the Ocean Viking sends an email to JRCC-Tripoli with Alarm Phone, and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, to inform that visual contact has been established with an overcrowded rubber boat. Because of worsening weather conditions, RHIBs are being prepared.

Ocean Viking position: 33°33.6’N 012°21.2’E

At 16:10, the Ocean Viking deploys her two rescue boats (RHIBs). All three vessels proceed towards the Target for further assessment.

The assessment establishes that the rubber boat is overcrowded, with approximately 100 persons on board and that all are exposed to the elements but none are equipped with life-jackets.

Ocean Viking Position at 16:20: 33°33.8’N 012°20.6’E

The Ocean Viking sends an email to JRCC-Tripoli, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Alarm Phone and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, informing that a rescue operation is being initiated.

Dear Sirs,
Due the dangerous nature of the situation. Our RHIBs are currently stabilising the vessel and giving out life jackets. For the safety of everyone it has been deemed necessary to evacuate everyone immediately. Also due to lack of instructions we are unaware of any other rescue efforts for this distress case.
We will continue to update this RCC as the coordinating RCC Best regards,
MVH
Bridge

Weather conditions and Sea state are deteriorating and there is a lack of instructions and information regarding other rescue efforts being done for this distress case.

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.

At 07:19 on February 19th, Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a rubber boat that departed from Zawiya around 23:00 on February 18th.

Alarm Phone Case 1 AP 19.02

Reported Position at 06:20: 33°06.7′ N 012°21.7’E

Alarm Phone sends an email addressed to LYJRCC, MTJRCC and ITMRCC with the Ocean Viking, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, informing that they received a distress call from a wooden boat that departed from Zawiya around 23:00 on February 18th.

Alarmphone Case 2 AP 19.02

Reported Position at 06:41: 33°17.2’N 012°24.7’E

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC answers, but no one speaks English.

The Ocean Viking calls the Italian MRCC, asking if it is aware of the distress alerts. Duty officer confirms having received the information. The Ocean Viking informs that it has tried to contact the Libyan authorities without success and asks who to contact to coordinate SAR events in the area. The Italian MRCC suggests to contact the LYJRCC with an Arabic-speaker.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the Libyan JRCC but the line is busy.

At 08:08, the Ocean Viking receives an email that was addressed to JRCC Tripoli, with Alarm Phone and Airborne in copy. In this communication, Sea Watch 3 informs that they will respond to the rubber boat distress call.

Alarm Phone Case 1 AP 19.02

ITMRCC answers a phone call from the Ocean Viking during which it is informed that Sea-Watch 3 is responding to the rubber boat distress call (Alarm Phone Case 1 AP 19.02) whereas the Ocean Viking responds to the second distress call from a wooden boat (Alarm Phone Case 2 AP 19.02).

ITMRCC is also made aware of the multiple attempts to contact LYJRCC, which fails at responding or speaking any other language than Arabic. The Ocean Viking informs that there are no instructions or coordination from authorities regarding SAR efforts in the area.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

The Ocean Viking tries to call the LYJRCC. The LYJRCC does not answer.

At 09:45, the Ocean Viking reaches by VHF a ship closer to the estimated Target position to ask if she has a visual contact with a wooden boat. The ship replies negatively, saying that she is close to Sabratha Platform and that no wooden boats are in sight.

At 10:04, the Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTRCC, Alarm Phone, Sea-Watch 3 and Airborne in copy, to inform that she has passed the last reported position of the wooden boat and that search efforts are being pursued to the North.

Updated position at 10:15: 33°43’N 12°41’E

The Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone, which was originally addressed to MTJRCC, ITMRCC and LYJRCC and which informs that fragments of a position have been received.

From 10:29 to 10:38, the Ocean Viking attempts to make contact by VHF with Sabratha Platform twice and with a ship operating nearby twice.

The Ocean Vikings establishes visual contact with a Target in the distance, in close range to Sabratha Platform.

The Ocean Viking successfully reaches the ship operating nearby to inform that she is launching RHIBs to assess the situation. The ship acknowledges and will remain at safe distance. The Ocean Viking expresses the need to get instructions from the platform.

Sabratha Platform hails the Ocean Viking by VHF and acknowledges the presence of a rubber boat around the facilities. The Ocean Viking informs of her intentions to launch RHIBs to intercept the Target, stabilize the situation and conduct a rescue if need be. Sabratha Platform gives the authorisation for rescue boats to enter the 500 metre clearance zone around the platform.

The Ocean Viking is launching 3 RHIBs

At 11:03, RHIBs are able to conduct a close-up assessment of the Target and are able to establish the distress situation of the Target. lifejacket distribution is initiated.

At 11:08, the Ocean Viking gets hold of Sabratha Platform by VHF to inform about the start of the rescue operation. Sabratha Platform gives the authorisation for rescue boats to enter the 500 metre clearance zone around the platform.

From the first contact with the Target, all three RHIBs and the Ocean Viking are out of this clearance zone and are drifting away from the platform facilities.

Position of interception: 33°44.7’N 012°40.9’E

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

The Ocean Viking contacts Sabratha Platform by VHF to inform them about the end of the rescue operation.

The Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC, Sea-Watch 3, Airborne and Alarm Phone in copy, to inform that the rescue is completed.

At 15:26, the Ocean Viking requests that JRCC-Tripoli provides a place of safety safety, as defined in the Annex to the 1979 SAR Convention, paragraph 1.3.2 and in the International Maritime Organization 2004 Rescue Guidelines, which fulfills all requirements under all applicable international laws, where the survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked.

Total number of survivors on board: 274

Ocean Viking position at 15:00: 33°42.4’N 012°30.2’E

Since the Ocean Viking has not received any response to her demand of a place of safety, or any acknowledgement of any attempts of communication in the past three days, the Ocean Viking officially requests a place of safety to disembark survivors to ITMRCC MTJRCC.

Ocean Viking position at 22:00: 34°18,7’N 012°22,1’E

At 17:00, the Ocean Viking is in the overlapping zone of the Italian and Maltese SRRs.

Ocean Viking position at 17:00: 35°55.9’N 013°18.5’E

The Ocean Viking sends a follow-up e-mail to ITMRCC, with LYJRCC and MTJRCC in copy, regarding the PoS request for disembarking the 276 survivors currently on board.

The Ocean Viking sends a follow-up e-mail to MTJRCC, with LYJRCC and ITMRCC in copy, regarding the PoS request for disembarking the 276 survivors currently on board.

ITMRCC acknowledges receipt of the Ocean Viking’s PoS request. They also inform the Ocean Viking that they have forwarded the request to the competent authority.

Whilst waiting for authorities to give instructions regarding disembarkation of the 274 survivors in a place of safety, the Ocean Viking is standing-by and prefers to relocate closer to Maltese coasts in order to maximize rescue efficiency in the event that a distress alert is being emitted.

Because of favorable weather conditions, departures from Libyan coast are suspected to resume.

It has been 3 days that the Ocean Viking originally requested a place of safety to the Libyan and European authorities.

In that period and since the first of three rescues on the 18^th of February, JRCC-Tripoli has not responded any of the emails sent by the Ocean Viking. When answered, VHF and phone communications were useless because JRCC-Tripoli was not able to converse in any other language than Arabic.

A demand of PoS was made to IT-MRCC and RCC-Malta by email late on the 19^th of February. After a second email sent the following day, IT-MRCC did acknowledge the PoS request but did not provide any instruction regarding a place of safety where the 274 survivors rescued by the Ocean Viking could be disembarked.

The situation on board, with limited space coupled with the weather conditions and cold, is negatively affecting the people’s social and physical well-being. The Ocean Viking is continuing to standing by.

The ITMRCC informs the Ocean Viking by email that the Ministry of Interior has assigned Pozzalo (Sicily, Italy) as port of destination.

The Ocean Viking sets Course and speed to reach Pozzallo in the morning the same day.

As requested, the Ocean Viking informs the ITMRCC of the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) to Pozzallo.

Dear Sirs,
Thank you for the information.
Our ETA to Pozzallo is 0800Z 23/02 at Pilot station.
We will send a full medical report with referrals from the medical team on-board to the Ministry of Health.
Please inform us of any additional information needed regarding precautions from MOI.
Kind Regards
MVH
Bridge

The Ocean Viking provides the ITMRCC with the rescue data about the three rescues. It also informs that the medical report will be sent to the Ministry of Health.

The Ocean Viking is alongside in Pozzallo harbour

The disembarkation of the 276 survivors begins.

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

At 17:45, after the completion of the disembarkation of survivors, the Ocean Viking receives an email from Pozzallo harbour master informing that the ship is ordered to stay at mooring point for sanitary reasons.

The official quarantine notice states that “for precautionary reasons, the vessel must not be operative, and the crew members are not allowed to disembark.” It also mentions that the quarantine will last 14 days, ending on March 8th.

At 18:54, the Ocean Viking drops Anchor 3 miles off the coast of Pozzallo

Position of anchorage: 36°40.3’N 014 53.3’E

At 15:59, the Ocean Viking receives an email from Pozzallo Harbour Master, giving permission to the ship to enter Pozzallo harbour due to incoming weather conditions.

At 16:40, the Ocean Viking is docked in Pozzallo Harbour.

After a medical check of all crew members by Italian authorities confirms that no symptoms of Covid-19 were identified, the quarantine is lifted.