OPERATION – 02-09 February 2024

20:00 Ocean Viking departs from the port of Livorno.

03:29 Whilst in the Libyan SRR in position 33 38 N 012 16 E, Ocean Viking receives an email, in cc, from “Watch The Med – Alarm Phone” alerting of a boat in distress (AP0147)

03:42 Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone to report the situation and seek instructions. No Answer.

03:43 Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone to report the situation and seek instructions. No Answer.

03:44 Ocean Viking (in position 33 38 N 012 16 E) emails Tripoli JRCC, MTRCC and ITMRCC in cc, to report on the situation and to inform that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the target (about 14 NM away) ready to provide first assistance.

05:22 Ocean Viking is 0.9NM from the subject boat and observes what follows:

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded with about 80 people on board, including women, all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and may require immediate assistance.

05:30 Ocean Viking (in position 33 37 N 012 26 E) emails Tripoli JRCC, MTRCC and ITMRCC in cc, to update about the situation and to inform that Ocean Viking RHIBs are going to be launched for closer assessment.

05:32 Ocean Viking RHIBs are performing a closer assessment and confirm the distress phase exists.

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, highly overcrowded with about 80 people on board, exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. The people are requiring to be rescued.

05:35 Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone to report the situation. No Answer.

05:36 Ocean Viking calls JRCC Tripoli via Sat Phone (other phone number) to report the situation. No Answer.

05:38 Ocean Viking (in position 33 38 N 012 29 E) emails Tripoli JRCC, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in cc, to update on the situation and to inform that Ocean Viking will proceed to the assistance of these persons in distress.

05:50 Ocean Viking Rhibs start evacuation of the people in distress from the white rubber boat to Ocean Viking.

07:00 Ocean Viking completes the recovery of the persons in distress. 110 shipwrecked persons have been evacuated onto the Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking in position 33 38N 012 29E.

Latitude: 33.63333
Longitude: 012.48333

07:06 Ocean Viking (in position 33 38 N 012 29E) emails Tripoli JRCC, with MTRCC and ITMRCC in cc, to inform that Ocean Viking completed the recovery operation of the persons in distress.

10:45 Ocean Viking’s RHIBs observe as follows: the blue wooden boat is overcrowded with about 50 persons on board, unseaworthy and inapt for navigation on the high seas, the boat is listing and at risk of capsizing, all persons on board are exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. It is ascertained that the distress phase exists as the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance

10:46 Whilst in the Libyan SRR in position 33 31 N 012 23 E and proceeding towards last known position of distress case AP0149 as instructed by ITMRCC, Ocean Viking received an alert via email from “Watch the Med – Alarm Phone” alerting of a distress boat at sea (AP0151)

11:15 Whilst in the Libyan SRR in position 33 30 N 012 16 E and still proceeding towards last known position of distress case AP0149 as instructed by ITMRCC, Ocean Viking received an alert via email from “Pilotes Voluntaires – Colibri 2” of a boat in distress.

The email is stating as follows: "Our aircraft is on-scene the below mentioned case: 060224DCPV01, which is probably matching with the case AP151 from Alarm Phone - Watch the Med: In position 33°18'N / 12°36'E at 11:05 UTC. Blue wooden boat with approximately 50 persons visible on board. Adrift.

Due to the overloading and the type of boat not adapted to the high seas and the weather conditions, the boat is exposed to a high risk of sinking/capsizing and the people on board are in great danger. There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board the case boat are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost at sea and require immediate assistance."

11:29 Ocean Viking (in position 33 30 N 012 16 E) emails Tripoli JRCC and ITMRCC to report the above situation and to inform that Ocean Viking is able to provide first assistance to the distress case (about 20 NM away).

11:46 Ocean Viking receives a call via Sat Phone from ITMRCC Rome where Ocean Viking is instructed to give an update on distress case AP0149 and if no assistance required, Ocean Viking is instructed to proceed towards distress case AP151 (060224DCPV01).

11:54 Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC instructing to report the assessment for the case AP0149 and then proceed towards the reported distress AP151 in order to provide to ITMRCC the necessary assessment and inform ITMRCC if there are other assets in the area.

12:00 Ocean Viking (in position 33 31 N 012 12 E) emails back ITMRCC informing of no signs of distress detected at last known position of AP0149 and acknowledging the instructions to proceed towards last known position of distress case AP151 to provide ITMRCC with first assessment.

12:56 Ocean Viking pauses the search of distress case AP151 to attend an other distress case following the instructions of ITMRCC.

12:56 Whilst in the Libyan SRR in position 33 27.5 N 012 22.5 E and proceeding towards last known position of distress case AP151 as instructed by ITMRCC, Ocean Viking spots an overcrowded rubber boat 5NM away.

There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board the case boat are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost at sea and require immediate assistance.

13:03 Ocean Viking calls Tripoli JRCC via Sat Phone to report the above situation. No Answer.

13:04 Ocean Viking calls Tripoli JRCC via Sat Phone to report the above situation. No Answer.

13:05 Ocean Viking (in position 33 27 N 012 22 E) emails Tripoli JRCC and ITMRCC to report the above situation and to inform that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the target (about 5 NM away) ready to provide first assistance.

13:08 Ocean Viking called ITMRCC via Sat Phone to inform on the above situation. ITMRCC instructs to proceed and provide MRCC with first assessment.

13:27 Ocean Viking RHIBs are launched to proceed with the first assessment of the distress case.

13:35 Ocean Viking has a visual on the rubber boat and assesses that the boat is in distress and requieres imediate assistance

The rubber boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded with about 30 people on board, including women, children unclear, all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. These people are requesting to be rescued. It is ascertained that the distress phase exists as the persons
on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance.

13:38 Whilst engaged in the rescue operation of the distress case, Ocean Viking (in position 33 25 N 012 24 E) received an alert via email from “Pilotes Voluntaires – Colibri 2” stating as follows:

"Our aircraft is on-scene the below mentioned case: 060224DCPV03. In position 33°20'N / 12°36'E at 13:31 UTC. Grey fiber glass boat with approximately 30 persons visible on board.

Due to the overloading and the type of boat not adapted to the high seas and the weather conditions, the boat is exposed to a high risk of sinking/capsizing and the people on board are in great danger. Urgent assistance is required."

13:42 Ocean Viking called ITMRCC via Sat Phone to provide first assessment and report that the distress phase has been ascertained. ITMRCC instructs Ocean Viking to proceed with the recovery of the persons in distress.

13:46 Ocean Viking emails Tripoli JRCC and ITMRCC to provide first assessment.

13:46 Ocean Viking Rhibs start evacuation of the people in distress from the blue and green rubber boat to Ocean Viking.

14:08 Ocean Viking completes the recovery of the persons in distress. 58 shipwrecked persons have been evacuated onto the Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking in position 33 25 N 012 23 E.

Latitude: 33.41666
Longitude: 012.38333

14:13 Ocean Viking resumes course towards last know position of distress case AP151 as instructed by ITMRCC.

14:27 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC via Sat Phone to report completion of the recovery of distress case. ITMRCC Rome confirms the instructions to proceed towards distress case AP151.

14:32 Ocean Viking resumes course towards last know position of distress case AP151.

15:00 Ocean Viking (in position 33 23 N 012 29 E) spots a wooden boat in the distance that matches the location and characteristics of AP151. Ocean Viking also observes in the area a small grey fiber glass boat which matches the description of distress case 060224DCPV03, two Libyan Patrol Units and a white fiber glass boat.

15:32 Ocean Viking contacts Libyan Patrol Units in the area on VHF Ch.16 and offers its assistance. Libyan Patrol Unit identifies itself as Libyan Coastal Security and requests Ocean Viking to standby.

15:48 Ocean Viking contacts again Libyan Coastal Security unit on VHF Ch.16 seeking instructions on how to proceed with distress cases. Libyan Coastal Security requests to standby while they wait for instructions.

15:50 Ocean Viking (in position 33 20 N 012 35 E) is about 1.5 NM away from distress case AP151 observes as follows:

AP151 is a wooden boat unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded with about 80 people on board, all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. A small grey fibre glass boat is also in the area (possible 060224DCPV03), Ocean Viking observes the following: the fibre glass boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded, all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available.

16:00 Ocean Viking contacts again Libyan Coastal Security unit on VHF Ch. 16. Libyan Coastal Security Unit Id. Number 43221 instructs Ocean Viking to proceed with the rescue of distress case (AP151)

16:01 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC via Sat Phone to report on the above situation. Duty officer is busy.

16:05 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC via Sat Phone to report on the above situation. ITMRCC instructs Ocean Viking to follow the instructions of Libyan assets in the area.

16:14 Ocean Viking emails Tripoli JRCC and ITMRCC informing on the above situation and providing first assessment of AP151 and grey fiber glass boat.

16:16 Ocean Viking contacts Libyan Coastal Security Unit 43221 to inform of its intention to launch the RHIBs and proceed towards distress case. Libyan Coastal Security Unit 43221 confirms instructions to proceed with the recovery of the people in distress.

16:32 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC via Sat Phone to report on the above situation. Duty officer is busy.

16:34 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC via Sat Phone to inform on the above and to report on the presence of third boat in distress.

16:41 Ocean Viking’s RHIBs are launched.

16:44 While performing operations for the recovery of the RHIBs back on board Ocean Viking, the white fibre glass boat approaches Ocean Viking dangerously close obstructing the RHIB recovery.

16:44 Ocean Viking’s RHIBs observe as follows: the blue wooden boat is overcrowded with about 50 persons on board, unseaworthy and inapt for navigation on the high seas, the boat is listing and at risk of capsizing, all persons on board are exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available. It is ascertained that the distress phase exists as the persons on board are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost and require immediate assistance.

16:48 Ocean Viking RHIBs start evacuation of the people in distress from the blue wooden boat to Ocean Viking.

17:25 Evacuation of all survivors onto Ocean Viking finished. Blue wooden boat is left adrift in position 33 20 N 012 35 E.

17:25 Ocean Viking completes the recovery of the persons in distress. 49 shipwrecked persons have been evacuated onto the Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking in position 33° 20' 16.2" N, 012° 35' 42.3" E.

17:28 Ocean Viking’s RHIBs proceed to the search of grey fiber glass boat as instructed by Libyan Coastal Security Unit 43221.

17:42 Ocean Viking is contacted via VHF Ch. 16 by the Libyan Coast Guard. Libyan Coast Guard unit number 12013 instructs Ocean Viking to finish the rescue operation and leave the area quickly.

17:44 While performing operations for the recovery of the RHIBs back on board Ocean Viking, the white fibre glass boat approaches Ocean Viking dangerously close obstructing the RHIB recovery.

17:44 Ocean Viking observes as follows: the white fibre glass boat is inapt for navigation on the high seas, overcrowded with about 40 people on board all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Equipment available. There is a reasonable certainty that the persons on board the case boat are threatened by grave and imminent danger of being lost at sea and require assistance.

18:16 Ocean Viking gets called via VHF Ch. 16 by the Libyan Coast Guard. The Libyan Coast Guard instructs Ocean Viking to leave the scene. Ocean Viking proceeds to leave the scene as instructed without performing the rescue of 060224DCPV03.

18:20 Overcrowded white fibre glass boat driver starts chasing after Ocean Viking. The people on board are scared and panicking. They are requesting to be brought on board. The people on board are screaming for help, there is serious concern for the integrity of those people.

18:36 Overcrowded white fibre glass boat’s driver approaches dangerously close to port side of Ocean Viking, with both crafts moving at high speed. The driver is recklessly endangering the lives and well-being of those on board the white fibre glass boat. Due to the forces of interaction between both crafts and the wake created by fast movement in the water, overcrowded white fibre glass boat lists and heels dangerously with an increased risk of capsizing, persons overboard and collision between the two crafts. There is certainty that the persons on board the overcrowded white fibre glass boat are threatened by grave and imminent danger, there is a serious concern for the lives of those people. There is an increased concern for the well-being of those on board Ocean Viking due to the escalation of tension as well as for the integrity of the ship.

18:40 Ocean Viking must stop making way through the water due to the dangerous events and in order to prevent disastrous consequences, for the lives and safety of the people on board the overcrowded white fibre glass boat and those on board Ocean Viking

18:55 Ocean Viking RHIBs (in position 33 23 N 012 37 E) are being launched to stabilize the situation from the water.

18:55 Ocean Viking received a call via Sat Phone from ITMRCC Rome reminding of vessel’s obligation to proceed to POS, Ocean Viking tries to update ITMRCC on the above events, but the communication is broken and ITMRCC requests Ocean Viking to send an email with the details.

19:00 Ocean Viking (in position 33 23.5 N 012 37.7 E) emails ITMRCC and Tripoli JRCC exposing the above events and informing that Ocean Viking has stopped its way, and it is proceeding to the recovery of the people in distress on board white fibre glass boat.

19:06 Ocean Viking RHIBs start with the evacuation of the people on board the distress case to Ocean Viking.

19:18 Ocean Viking received a call via VHF Ch.16 from the Libyan Coast Guard requesting information about rescues performed. Ocean Viking informs the Libyan Coast Guard three rescues have been performed during the day plus one ongoing rescue, Ocean Viking explains the last rescue was performed due to the dangerous events.

19:19 Ocean Viking completes the recovery of the persons in distress. 44 shipwrecked persons have been evacuated onto the Ocean Viking.

Ocean Viking in position 33° 23' 19.8" N, 012° 37' 32.9" E.

09:50 Ocean Viking docks in the port of Brindisi, Italy.

10:04 The disembarkation of 261 survivors in the port of Brindisi begins.

11:00 The disembarkation of 261 survivors in the port of Brindisi is complete.