OPERATION – 13 - 30 November 2024

18:34 Heave up anchor.

09:48 Ocean Viking is in Syracuse at berth. Pilot on.

10:24 Pilot of.

10:30 Ocean Viking is anchors in Syracuse Bay.

18:30 Pilot on bord.

18:45 Anchor aweigh.

19:00 Piolot off.

08:33 Ocean Viking starts drills at sea.

11:14 RHIB drills are complete.

13:04 Ocean Viking starts drills at sea.

16:27 RHIB drills are complete.

18:29 Ocean Viking performs a close contact drill.

19:42 Ocean Viking ends the close contact drill.

09:07 Ocean Viking starts drills at sea.

10:50 RHIB drills are complete.

13:19 Ocean Viking starts a man over board drill.

16:26 Ocean Viking ends the man over board drill.

17:30 Ocean Viking is heading south.

10:39 Ocean Viking spots an emty boat adrift.

11:18 Ocean Viking investigates the boat. Empty figerblass boat adrift, no engine, no marks

12:45 Ocean Viking receives an alert via VHF Channel 16 from asset NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft to all vessels.

The message states: “rubber boat with about 35 ppl on board, in position 34 04’ 34” N 013 52’ 59” E, no lifesaving equipment, possibly deflating, moving on a course of 045 at 1.0 kn”.

12:57 Ocean Viking receives a call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft on VHF Channel 16 to inform about the rubber boat in distress. Ocean Viking confirms receiving the information.

13:01 Ocean Viking receives a VHF call from Aita Mari, offering assistance upon request.

13:03 Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone MRCC Malta. No Answer.

13:05 Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone MRCC Malta. Officer on duty requests an email.

13:12 Ocean Viking is informed by NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft via VHF 16 that Cargo Ship KNIDOS-M is 15NM from the rubber boat and is proceeding to its position.

13:17 Ocean Viking emails MRCC Malta to inform about the situation.

13:35 Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone JRCC Tripoli. No Answer.

13:36 Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone JRCC Tripoli. No Answer.

13:39 Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli to inform about the situation.

13:59 Ocean Viking calls NATO Patrol Aircraft on VHF to inform that Ocean Viking is 17 NM from the boat in distress with an ETA at 16:00 CET, ready to assist.

14:00 Ocean Viking receives an email from Sea Punk One, informing about a rescue.

The email informs about a rescue of all people from an iron boat in distress spotted from the bridge of “SEA PUNK 1“ by the Italian Coast Guard (CP322).

14:04 Ocean Viking hears radio traffic on VHF between NATO Maritile Patrol Aircfract and KNIDOS-M.

NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft calls KNIDOS-M on VHF to inform that the SAR event it's on the starboard side of MV KNIDOS-M and asks for her intentions. KNIDOS M does not understand if NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft gives instructions and asks if she can continue to the port of destination and be relieved from the SAR event. MV KINDOS M informs of its intention to proceed to next port of call.

14:07 Ocean Viking receives a call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft on VHF 16, giving an update on the position of the rubber boat in distress.

14:25 Ocean Viking receives a VHF call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft with an update of the boat in distress.

14:45 Ocean Viking receives a VHF call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft with an update of the position of the rubber boat in distress.

15:07 Ocean Viking informs that she has a visual of a small boat on the horizon, about 5NM away.

15:07 Ocean Viking receives a VHF call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft with an update of the position of the rubber boat in distress.

15:13 Ocean Viking receives a VHF call from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft to inform Ocean Viking is the On Scene Coordinator of the SAR event.

15:30 Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli to inform about the situation.

The email states the follwoing:

At 14:27 UTC Ocean Viking is 3NM from the subject boat and observes what follows:
the rubber boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded with about 40 people on board, 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.
Ocean Viking RHIBs are going to be launched for closer assessment. Your RCC will be kept informed of observations and actions undertaken.
Please acknowledge receipt of this message."

15:34 RHIBs are launched.

15:46 RHIBs assess the situation.

The assessment is as follows: the rubber boat is unseaworthy, inapt for navigation in high seas, overcrowded with about 40 people on board, all exposed to the elements, no Life Saving Appliances available.

15:47 Ocean Viking calls via Sat Phone JRCC Tripoli. No Answer.

15:50 Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli to inform about the assessment.

16:11 Ocean Viking observes Libyan Patrol Vessel 660 approaching the scene at high speed. Ocean Viking tries to establish contact with Patrol Vessel on VHF Ch.16 in English and Arabic several times but receives no answer.

16:20 Ocean Viking emails JRCC Tripoli to inform about the rescue.

16:26 RHIBS are recovered.

16:30 Ocean Viking completes the recovery operation of the persons in distress. 48 shipwrecked persons have been safely brought on board Ocean Viking.

Latitude: 13.751666666666667
Longitude: 34.2691667

17:52 Ocean Viking receives an email from ITMRCC instructing to proceed to Ravenna as place of safety.

19:35 Ocean Viking emails ITMRCC and acknowledges the indication of RAVENNA as the Place of Safety for all 48 survivors currently onboard. Ocean Viking provides the ETA to Ravenna and asks for a closer Place of Safety.

20:24 Ocean Viking receives and email by ITMRCC, reminding that the Italy the Decree Law of January 2, 2023 No. 1 is in force and therefore requests to proceed without delay, with direct route and at the maximum sustainable and continuous speed towards the port of Ravenna.

13:35 Ocean Viking emails ITMRCC and asks for a closer Place of Safety, due to weather conditions.

The email states:
Dear duty officer,
It is observed that adverse weather conditions are forecasted during the next days along the route from this vessel current position to RAVENNA, the POS assigned by Italian authorities.
This vessel is to face wave height up to of 2.5 m on the voyage to RAVENNA, forcing this ship and the persons thereon to endure a minimum of 32h of hardship, while delaying unnecessarily survivors' access to assistance & reception services on land.
Therefore, this vessel invites your RCC and the national competent authority to reassign the POS to a different port, the closest possible from Ocean Viking current position.
Please, find Meteomar weather forecast and map to support this request.
Ocean Viking remains at disposal for any further complementary request of information.

15:49 Ocean Viking emails ITMRCC the Maritime Incident Report.

17:57 Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC to ask for an update about the request to change for a closer POS due to the weather conditions. Officer on duty confirms reception of Ocean Viking’s request and that any new information will be shared by email.

08:41 Ocean Viking emails ITMRCC and asks for a closer Place of Safety, due to weather conditions.

01:35 Ocean Viking is docked in Brindisi.

06:48 Disembarkation of the 48 survivors starts.

06:56 Disembarkation is complete.

11:45 Ocean Viking leaves Brindisi.

21:13 Ocean Viking docks in Syracuse.