Johanna de Tessières
The 20-day detention of the Ocean Viking has ended and the team onboard is preparing to go back at sea. Crew member Claire reflects on the fatal consequences of what has become known as the “Piantedosi Decree”, an Italian law that was passed a year ago.
Our ship was detained twice in two months and was systematically assigned faraway ports in 2023. In total, the Ocean Viking travelled 67 days to and from those distant ports, which removed the ship from where it is urgently needed and cost more than 650,000 euros in additional fuel.
Meanwhile, 2023 was the deadliest year in the Mediterranean since 2017: at least 3,041 people lost their lives, according to IOM. A humanitarian response to the ongoing emergency at Europe’s southern border is urgently needed.
