OPERATION - 16-30 October 2019

SITUATION RECAP

Last update 02/11/2019 at 10h15 (All times in UTC+2)

– On the 16th of October, Ocean Viking left Taranto port

– On the 18th of October, Ocean Viking rescued 104 survivors from a rubber boat in distress in the International waters of the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. The boat was spotted by Ocean Viking and she kept Libyan JRCC continuously informed during whole SAR event

– On the 18th of October, Ocean Viking asked Libyan JRCC for a place of safety and Libyan JRCC offered Tripoli (Libya). Ocean Viking refused Tripoli as a place of safety since Libyan ports do not conform to the definition of place of safety

– On the 20th of October, Ocean Viking requested a place of safety to ITMRCC and MTJRCC

– On the 29th of October, ITMRCC assigned Pozzallo (IT) as a place of safety

– On the 30th of October, Ocean Viking disembarked all 104 survivors at Pozzallo port

October 16, 2019

15:17 Ocean Viking leaves the Port of Taranto

October 18, 2019

Upon entering the Libyan
Search
and Rescue Region, Ocean Viking sends a notice to the LYJRCC,
informing of the vessel’s readiness to conduct SAR operations. ITMRCC
and MTJRCC are also informed. Ocean Viking additionally provides the vessel’s
technical specifications.

Ocean Viking spots black rubber boat and alters Course for further investigation

Ocean Viking sends email to LYJRCC (copying ITMRCC, MTJRCC and EUNAVFOR MED) about rubber boat and intention to investigate:

” … Ocean Viking spotted a rubber boat in the water, possibly in distress … The boat is overcrowded and people have no lifejacket …
Ocean Viking is going to launch our RHIBs and investigate
We will keep you updated“

Easy 1 and Easy 2
assess condition of rubber boat. Rubber boat found in unseaworthy condition,
without lifesaving appliances, overcrowded, all men, women and children without lifejackets. distress
phase exists.

Ocean Viking informs
by email JRCC Libya (copying ITMRCC,
MTJRCC
and EUNAVFOR MED) about the distress
situation

Distribution of lifejackets finalized. Start to transfer survivors from rubber boat to Ocean Viking

Latitude: 33.6
Longitude: 14.24

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, copying ITMRCC and MTJRCC, to inform of rescue completion.

It’s part of the duties of the Master to inform the RCC responsible for the SRR about the evolution of the situation : “keep the RCC informed about conditions, assistance needed, and actions taken or planned for the survivors (see paragraph 6.10 regarding other information the RCC may wish to obtain);”

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, copying ITMRCC and MTJRCC, to request a place of safety for the 104 survivors

19:43 Ocean Viking receives an email from LYJRCC designating Tripoli (Libya) as Place of Safety

Ocean Viking informs LYJRCC by email, with ITMRCC, MTJRCC in copy, that she cannot proceed to disembarkation in Tripoli (Libya) due to the fact that Libyan ports do not conform to the definition of place of safety.