OPERATION - 27 November-04 December 2019

Upon entering the Libyan Search and Rescue Region, Ocean Viking sends a “notice of readiness for SAR operations” to the Libyan JRCC, copying the Italian MRCC, the Maltese MRCC and EUNAVFOR MED.

” … MV Ocean Viking declares readiness for SAR operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea, South of Lampedusa and Malta, outside of Libyan territorial waters.   
Actual position: 34°36.0’ N  014°31.8’ E   
Proceeding with COG 200°  SOG 10.5 kts, remaining in international water at all times.“

Ocean Viking is copied in an email from Alarm Phone to LYJRCC informing about a boat in distress. The reported position of the boat is approximately 21 nm away. Ocean Viking alters Course and proceeds towards the Target

Ocean Viking sends email to LYJRCC and informs that she will proceed towards reported boat in distress:

” … Please be advised that Ocean Viking has altered Course and is proceeding towards the possible distress position. We are approx. 21nm away and we are doing 13,5kts. We will continue to inform this RCC with any updates“

Legal reference:

“The Master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance, on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so. This obligation to provide assistance applies regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found …” (Source: SOLAS Ch V Reg 33.1)

Ocean Viking spots light source on the water and alters Course for further investigation

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and informs of intention to launch RHIBs:

“… We have spotted a light source near the reported position. We are currently launching our rescue boats to investigate. The Target is approx.. 2,5nm from our position. Positon 33-50,2N 013-56,2E“

Easy 1 and Easy 2 assess condition of boat, which is identfied as a small wooden boat. Boat is found in unseaworthy condition, without lifesaving appliances, overcrowded, adults and children without lifejackets. Stabilisation of boat incl. distribution of lifejackets is commenced

Start to evacuate survivors from wooden boat to Ocean Viking

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

” … Please be advised that Ocean Viking found the wooden boat. Due to the sever overcrowding and problems with stability the rescue was started immediately. We will send a full rescue report as soon as possible. The medical team is currently taking care of the survivors. Right now there are no emergency cases.“

Legal reference:

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);”  (Source: MSC 167(78) )

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Legal reference:

” ... do everything possible, within the capabilities and limitations of the ship, to treat the survivors humanely and to meet their immediate needs …” (Source: Resolution MSC. 167(78) Annex 5.1.2)

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Legal reference:

” ... do everything possible, within the capabilities and limitations of the ship, to treat the survivors humanely and to meet their immediate needs …” (Source: Resolution MSC. 167(78) Annex 5.1.2)

Ocean Viking stops at 33°36.4’N 012°35.6’E to investigate debris of rubber boat

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC (copying ITMRCC, MTJRCC and EUNAVFOR MED) and asks for a place of safety

“… We are requesting a place of safety (as defined in the Annex to the 1979 SAR Convention, paragraph 1.3.2 and in the International Maritime Organization 2004 Rescue Guidelines) to promptly disembark all 60 survivors who are currently on-board.

MV Ocean Viking  in psn 33-37,9N 012-30,1E  at 2044Z

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.“

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Legal reference:

” ... do everything possible, within the capabilities and limitations of the ship, to treat the survivors humanely and to meet their immediate needs …” (Source: Resolution MSC. 167(78) Annex 5.1.2)

Ocean Viking spots several lifejackets on the water and stops in position 33°31.3’N 012°17.0’E for further investigation. Easy 1 is launched, carries out a search pattern and finds debris of a black rubber boat.

Easy 1 is back on deck and secured. Ocean Viking resumes navigation

An offshore supply ship reports to LNCG two boats in distress. The offshore supply ship informs LNCG that all survivors were recovered and are on board

Ocean Viking calls production platform in vicinity and offers any assistance needed. Ocean Viking informs offshore platform that she will approach not closer than 4 nm

Offshore supply ship calls Ocean Viking on VHF and asks if Ocean Viking can offer assistance. Communication is broken

Offshore platform calls Ocean Viking on VHF and gives position of supply ship. Ocean Viking alters Course accordingly

Offshore supply ship calls Ocean Viking on VHF and asks for a transfer of survivors from supply ship to Ocean Viking

Ocean Viking spots debris of black rubber boat and alters Course for investigation

Ocean Viking launches Easy 1 to investigate debris of black rubber boat

Upon completion of her search, Easy 1 is recovered and secured. Ocean Viking resumes navigation

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC, copying ITMRCC and MTJRCC, and informs that supply ship asked for assistance

“… Please be aware that Ocean Viking has been contacted by M/V … via VHF, requesting assistance from Ocean Viking.

We are proceeding towards their position and will assist them if needed. We believe that they have 30 survivors on board.

We will request some coordination in this matter.

We will arrive near their position in approx. 1.5hrs”

Ocean Viking calls LYJRCC on phone. LYJRCC does not authorise transfer of survivors, but leaves it up to both Masters to coordinate

Ocean Viking calls supply ship on VHF and informs on pending authorisation of planned transfer by various maritime authorities

Representatives of SOS Mediterranee, MSF and medics visit supply ship to offer assistance and medical care if required.

Supply ship calls Ocean Viking on VHF and request an update on planned transfer. Ocean Viking informs supply ship that she is not allowed to transfer survivors without official written instruction provided by competent maritime authorities

Easy 1 is recovered after all crew is back on board. Ocean Viking proceeds to a safe distance from the oilfield

Ocean Viking is in position 34°22.1′ N, 012°45.6′ E , sailing at a speed of 3 knots

• Wind: 11 knots
• Swell: 0.5 meter
• Sea state: 3

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Ocean Viking is copied in an email from Alarm Phone to MTJRCC informing about a boat in distress. The reported position of the boat is approximately 90 nm away. Ocean Viking alters Course and proceeds towards the Target

Ocean Viking calls MTJRCC on the phone to offer assistance.

Ocean Viking sends an email to LYJRCC and request further instructions. LYJRCC is informed about intention to head north

” … The current situation on board is stable, but we would like to inform you that the weather is going to deteriorate this evening and having not received a reply to our last email sent on 29th November at 2051Z, we would appreciate if LYJRCC could please provide this vessel with a feedback.

As stated in our previous email the breakdown of the 60 survivors is as follows:

40 adult men, 2 adult female, 18 minors.

While waiting for further instructions from you, we are Heading north in order to comply with IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78) and to find a quick solution to disembark all survivors on board Ocean Viking in a place of safety.

As we are proceeding north we have offered to assist in the search for a rubber boat in the Maltese SRR.“

Ocean Viking is copied in an email from Alarm Phone to MTJRCC with an updated position of black rubber boat. Ocean Viking alters Course accordingly

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Ocean Viking calls MTJRRC on phone for an update on black rubber boat. MTJRCC informs Ocean Viking that rescue of black rubber boat is completed. MTJRCC asks Ocean Viking about situation on board offshore supply ship

Ocean Viking calls offshore supply ship on phone and asks for an update on survivors. Ocean Viking is informed that all survivors have been transferred to a LNCG boat and will be returned to Libya

Ocean Viking calls MTJRCC on phone and informs MTJRCC that all survivors have been transferred from offshore supply ship to LNCG boat

Ocean Viking sends an email to ITMRCC and MTJRCC copying LYJRCC to request a place of safety:

” … Please find attached Maritime Incident Report regarding the SAR operation conducted by MV Ocean Viking on 28th Nov. 2019. 60 people were rescued, including 40 males, 2 females and 18 minors …

… Whole operation took place in International waters, in the Libyan SRR and in the strictest adherence to the UNCLOS, SOLAS and SAR conventions

On the 29th of November,  we asked JRCC Tripoli to assign a place of safety for the disembarkation of the survivors. No response has been received.

According to international maritime conventions and regulations (IMO Resolution MSC.167 (78): in a case where the RCC responsible for the area where the survivors are recovered cannot be contacted, attempt to contact another RCC, or if that is impractical, any other Government authority that may be able to assist, while recognizing that responsibility still rests with the RCC of the area in which the survivors are recovered), Ocean Viking is now formally requesting Maltese and Italian maritime authorities, as the RCCs better able to assist, to take coordination and support finding a place of safety that fulfils the criteria set by Maritime and International Law to disembark safely and as soon as possible the 60 survivors on board the vessel.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message”

Volunteers onboard Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Volunteers on board Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

Volunteers on board Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

ITCG calls Ocean Viking on phone and informs that Pozzallo (IT) has been assigned as a place of safety for the 60 survivors. Ocean Viking alters Course accordingly

Volunteers on board Ocean Viking are distributing food to the 60 survivors

All 60 survivors left Ocean Viking