OPERATION - 14 December-07 January 2020

SITUATION RECAP

Last update 23/12/2019 at 18h54 (All times in UTC+1)

– On December 14, Ocean Viking leaves the port of Marseille, France.

– On the 20th of December, Ocean Viking rescued 112 people from a rubber boat in distress in the International waters of the Libyan Search and Rescue Region. The boat in distress was reported by Alarm Phone to the Libyan JRCC in the early morning and was spotted by Ocean Viking roughly 1.5 hour later. Ocean Viking reported all information to the Libyan JRCC throughout the whole SAR operation. Ocean Viking then requested a place of safety for the 112 survivors to the Libyan JRCC; no reply was received.

– On the same day, 20th of December, Ocean Viking rescued 50 people from a wooden boat in distress in the International waters of the Maltese Search and Rescue Region. The boat in distress was reported by Moonbird airplane (Sea-Watch) to the Maltese RCC in the early afternoon and was spotted by Ocean Viking in the late evening. Ocean Viking conducted the operation under coordination of Maltese RCC.

– On the 21st of December, Ocean Viking requested a place of safety for the 162 survivors to MTRCC and ITMRCC

– On the 22nd of December, Ocean Viking requested a Medical evacuation to Italian MRCC. 3 survivors were winched, roughly 2 hours later, on board an Italian Coast Guard helicopter.

– On the 22nd of December, ITMRCC informed Ocean Viking that Taranto (IT) had been assigned as a place of safety for the 159 survivors remaining on board.

– On the 23rd of December, all 159 survivors disembarked in Taranto (IT).

– On December 25th, Ocean Viking sets sail towards the area of operations.

– On January 7, following several unsuccessful searches, Ocean Viking moores in the port of Termini Imerese, Italy.

December 14, 2019

08:37 Ocean Viking leaves the port of Marseille

Ocean Viking noon position 42° 59.2′ N 005° 03.4′ E sailing at a speed of 9.4 knots

Wind: 30 knots from WNW

Waves: 4 meters

December 15, 2019

At 10:45, in position 40°09,8’N 007°07,6’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct a drill. RIHBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: 13 knots

Waves: 1.5 meters

At 12:10 drills are completed and OV is Underway to the central Med

December 16, 2019

At 08:00, in position 37°56,9’N 008°20,7’E, Ocean Viking (OV) stops to conduct a drill. RIHBs are launched for rescue procedure exercises

Wind: 10 knots from E

Waves: 1 meters

16:30 Ocean Viking resumes sea passage towards the central Med

December 17, 2019

Noon position: 37° 11,5′ N 011° 20,7′ E

Wind: 30 knots SE

Waves: 4 meters

December 18, 2019

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

Noon position: 34° 33.2′ N 12° 20.4′ E

Wind: 30 knots SE

Waves: 4 meters

December 19, 2019

Noon Position: 33° 14.2′ N 13° 50.0′ E

Wind: 15 knots W

Waves: 1.5 meters

Visibility: Poor ( 1 nautical mile)

December 20, 2019

Alarm
Phone sends an email to Libyan JRCC and Ocean Viking:

“We received a call
from a boat which is in distress.
There are around 108 persons on board. 30 woman, 70 men, 8 children.

We received this position at 3.22 CET N33157045 E 012457061 and we just
received this new position at 3.44 CET N3315608 E01246051

[…]
It’s a white rubber boat. The engine is still working. they don’t have
lifejackets.
They are urgently asking for help.”

Ocean Viking Position: 33° 18.9’ N 012° 39. 4 E

Ocean Viking alters Course towards the distress position.

05:00 Ocean Viking calls Libyan JRCC by SAT phone on 5 different numbers. No reply

Ocean Viking reports by email to JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) the alert received via email from Alarm Phone, and informs that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the distress position.

Ocean Viking spots a Target on the Radar in position 33° 24.34′ N 012° 46.3′ E and proceeds towards it.

05:47 Ocean Viking has visual contact with the white rubber boat.

Ocean Viking informs by email JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) about the Target being spotted and the intention to launch the RHIBs. Alert phase: apprehension exists as to the safety of the boat and its occupants

White rubber boat is overcrowded, about 100 people on board, no lifejackets, all exposed to the elements and the Bow section is totally deflated. distress phase: the boat and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.

No reply from 2 telephone numbers, the third is answered but no communication can be established as no English speaker is available at LYJRCC

Ocean Viking informs by email JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) about the distress situation and that the occupants of the white rubber boat will be transferred onto Ocean Viking.

06:42 Rescue operation initiated

Latitude: 33.85
Longitude: 12.57

Empty rubber boat in position 33-24.3N 012-50.6E is marked with “SAR 20.12.2019” and destroyed

Ocean Viking informs by email the JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) about rescue completion

Ocean
Viking sends email to the Libyan JRCC (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) with full
rescue report and requests a place of safety.

[…] We respectfully request that, as the JRCC coordinating, you please provide with the indication of 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) which fulfills all requirements under all applicable international laws, where the survivors can be safely and promptly disembarked. […]

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR in position 33-27.2N 012-04.3E, Ocean Viking receives two emails from SeaWatch Airborne Operations (sent at 12h54 and 13h43, addressed to Maltese and Italian RCCs as well, but only received at 14h25) reporting a wooden boat spotted by Moonbird patrol airplane. The wooden boat is reported to be in distress. Last reported position 34-09’N 012-26’E, Course 020, speed 8 knots. Ocean Viking alters Course towards the Target.

Ocean Viking reports by email to JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, RCCMALTA and EUNAVFORMed in copy) the alerts received via email, and informs that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards last reported position of the wooden boat

Ocean Viking calls MTRCC, that confirms the wooden boat is in Maltese Search and Rescue Region. MTRCC informs that a Search and Rescue operation has been launched, but the wooden boat has not been reached yet. Ocean Viking maintains her Course towards the wooden boat.

Ocean Viking in position 34-09.5’N 012-24.8E calls MTRCC, requesting Situation Report. MTRCC reports last know Target position in 34-28’N 012-30’E at 15h40. Target Course 000, speed 7.5 knots.

Ocean Viking receives an email from Alarm Phone (addressed to Maltese and Italian RCCs as well) reporting a distress call from a wooden boat

Frontex Aircraft VHF all ships call to alert of boat in distress in Position 34°58.38′ N 012°40.01’E.

Ocean Viking in position 34-46.4’N 012-37.9’E

MTRCC relays information from Frontex aircraft, that the Target has changed Course towards Ocean Viking. Ocean Viking informs that RHIBs will be launched for assessment.

Visual contact with wooden boat

Ocean Viking stops in position 35°03.4′ N 012°39.0′ E and prepares for launching the RHIBs.

22:34 Ocean Viking launches first RIHB in the water

Light blue wooden boat comes alongside Ocean Viking seeking Shelter from the weather that is rapidly deteriorating:

wind SSW 20 knots, waves 2m.

The boat is overcrowded: 50 persons on board, without lifejackets, all exposed to the elements. Occupants are in grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.

distress phase. lifejacket distribution started.

Ocean Viking reports distress situation and the necessity of immediate evacuation of wooden boat occupants.

Ocean Viking RHIBs evacuate the occupants from the wooden boat.

In position 35° 04.2′ N 012° 39.9′ E, Ocean Viking embarks last survivors from one of her RIHBs

Latitude: 35.07
Longitude: 12.66

Wooden boat marked “SAR 20/12/2019” and left adrift

Ocean Viking calls MTRCC informing rescue is completed. MTRCC informs that a Maltese Patrol Vessel is coming to Ocean Viking for transferring the 50 survivors of the wooden boat (case408) to the Maltese Patrol Vessel

ITMRCC calls Ocean Viking requesting information on SAR Operation just conducted (case408), in order to correlate such case with the wooden boat previously notified by Alarm Phone (case463).

Several telephone calls with MTRCC and ITMRCC about case correlation. Case463 seems to match with case408.

December 21, 2019

MTRCC informs point of rendezvous at 35°13’N 012°52’E with the Maltese Patrol Vessel

Agreed that vessels will stop at rendezvous point and assess situation for transfer operation.

Risk assessment results in no-go for transfer operation, because of the sea-state.

Transfer operation of the 50 survivors from the wooden boat has to be
postponed until further notice, when weather conditions will allow. P61 will
return to the base.

Ocean Viking resumes sea passage towards East of Sicily in order to
seek Shelter from the bad weather expected in the area.

Malta RCC requests Ocean Viking to remain on stand-by, awaiting instructions.

Ocean Viking raises the possibility to seek Shelter in proximity of Malta in order to conduct the transfer in a timely manner, before weather conditions in the area deteriorate even further.

Malta RCC informs that Ocean Viking is not granted authorisation to enter Maltese territorial waters.

Ocean Viking informs that she will then continue on her route to seek Shelter East of Sicily.

“[…]
We acknowledge that for the time being Maltese authorities are not granting to Ocean Viking the authorization to enter Maltese territorial waters in order to find Shelter and safely conduct the transfer operation of the 50 survivors rescued under Malta RCC coordination.
[…] on the 20th of December, Ocean Viking requested a place of safety to JRCC Tripoli for the disembarkation of the survivors rescued inside the Libyan SRR. No response has been received so far.
Ocean Viking is now formally requesting Maltese and Italian maritime authorities, which we consider as the RCCs better able to assist due to the geographical area of the SAR operation conducted and the current position of Ocean Viking, to cooperate as per SAR Convention and to facilitate finding a place of safety in order to disembark safely and as soon as possible all the 162 survivors on board the vessel.
While waiting for further instructions from you or those RCC’s who you would consider able to assist in this process, please be advised that due to the current weather condition in the area and the weather forecast for the next hours and days, Ocean Viking is currently proceeding to seek Shelter off the Eastern coast of Sicily.”

December 22, 2019

Ocean Viking calls ITMRCC asking for Medical evacuation for a 20 years old female patient that needs surgical attention in the next 24 hours. She is accompanied by her daughter of 1.5 years old and her sister of 18 years old.

18:37 Italian Coast Guard Helicopter is hovering over Ocean Viking. Medical Evacuation starts

3 survivors are winched into Italian Coast Guard Helicopter

Position 37°32.5’N 015°27.0’E

Latitude: 37.54
Longitude: 15.45

“Good evening,
Please be informed that the Italian Minister of Interior has assigned TARANTO as port of destination for M/V Ocean Viking with 159 PoB.”

December 23, 2019

15:55 Ocean Viking arrives to Taranto Port

The 159 survivors are on land

Latitude: 40.478
Longitude: 17.219

December 25, 2019

07:20 Ocean Viking leaves the port of Taranto towards the central Mediterranean.

December 26, 2019

Noon position: 35° 41,7′ N 015° 27,2′ E

Wind: 7 knots NNW

Waves: 0.7 meters

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

In position: 34° 19,6′ N 014° 45.5′ E

While Patrolling in the Maltese SRR in position 34°23.3’N 014°12.5’E, Ocean Viking receives an email at 22:32h from Alarm Phone, addressed to Libyan maritime authorities, with Ocean Viking and MV Alan Kurdi in copy, reporting a boat in distress with 28 people, including 5 woman and 11 children in position 33.50528 N ( 33°30.2’N ) 11.96613 (011°57.9’E). Ocean Viking alters Course towards the boat in distress.

After trying to call Libyan JRCC via Sat-phone and not receiving answer, Ocean Viking reports by email to JRCC Tripoli (with ITMRCC, MTRCC, EUNAVFORMed and MV Alan Kurdi in copy) the alert received via email from Alarm Phone, and informs that Ocean Viking is proceeding towards the distress position.

December 27, 2019

Ocean Viking resumes patrol patterns in the Libyan SRR

Ocean Viking alters her Course towards the area in order to investigate

After spotting via binoculars a wooden boat adrift in the area where the airplane was previously circling, Ocean Viking approaches to investigate.
The wooden boat is found in position 33° 29,2′ N 012° 10,0′ E

Ocean Viking is at 29 NM from the Libyan coast

PV Fezzan, approaching from South, establishes VHF communication with Ocean Viking and instructs her to maintain Course 000°.

As PV Fezzan approaches very close, at least 33 people are seen her deck.

Eventually, PV Fezzan overtakes Ocean Viking Heading North.

December 28, 2019

Noon position: 33° 40.4′N 12° 03.5′E

Wind: 30 knots N

Waves: 3 meters

December 29, 2019

Noon position: 33° 41.9′N 11° 49.5′E

Wind: 25 knots N

Waves: 2,5 meters

December 30, 2019

Noon position: 33°31.7′N 12°43.9′E

Wind: 15 knots NE

Swell: 3 meters

Scattered squalls

December 31, 2019

Noon position: 33°27.1′N 012°30.0′E

Wind: 18 knots NE

Swell: 2 meters NE

Scattered squalls

While Patrolling in the Libyan SRR in position 33° 27.2′N 012° 36.9′E, Ocean Viking receives an email at 15:31 from Alarm Phone, addressed to Italian MRCC, with Libyan maritime authorities, Ocean Viking and Sea-Watch 3 in copy, reporting a boat in distress.

“[…] we got information about a rubber boat with around 45 people on board which was around 35 km north of Al-Khums ca. 50 hours ago. The people were in distress. […]“

Ocean Viking alters her Course towards the reported distress area (about 92 NM away from her) and tries to gather more information regarding the distress case.

January 1, 2020

All the information gathered by reaching out to Libyan JRCC, Rome MRCC, Alarm Phone and Sea-Watch 3, leads the Ocean Viking to conclude that there are no possibilities of finding the reported boat in distress.

Since the moment the boat was reportedly seen (Sunday 29th around noon), considering the weather conditions north of Al Khums (strong northerly winds), a rubber boat with no working engine (as reported to the Ocean Viking) would have drifted onto the Libyan shore after 9 to 12 hours.

While in position 33° 31.2′N 013° 17.4′E, Ocean Viking informs maritime authorities of her conclusions and that she resumes Patrolling, Heading West, while remaining available for any assistance that may be required.