OPERATION - 20-30 Sept. 2018

Aquarius calls Patrol boat Al Khifa. LCG instructs Aquarius to leave Libyan Search and Rescue Region

Aquarius sends email to JRCC Tripoli and ITMRCC updating them about the completion of the rescue of 47 people. Aquarius updates them of the medical state of the survivors and gives them breakdown of nationalities

Aquarius informs Spanish and French MRCCs about the completion of the rescue of the morning of the 23 September. Aquarius updates authorities that there are currently 58 survivors onboard (taking into account the 11 survivors from the rescue of the 20 September), and requests coordination for the search and rescue event.

Inmarsat alarm to all ships signaling the distress of a boat of 100 people, reported to be sinking north of al Khoms at the last known position of 33 14 N, 014 08 E, at 17h35. Message says to contact JRCC Libya via IMRCC Rome.

Aquarius calls ITMRCC to enquire about Inmarsat message. Aquarius is 100 NM away form position of distress. Aquarius informs that it already tried contacting JRCC but without success. Aquarius 34°27’5 N 012°37’7.

Aquarius sends email to ITMRCC and JRCC Tripoli to inform that it will proceed to the boat in distress, signaled by the Inmarsat message. Aquarius provides ETA and current position.

“Dear Sirs,

Aquarius received Inmarsat C distress alert from JRCC Libya via ITMRCC for boat in distress, sinking, at PoS. 33-14N 014-08E with approx. 100pax on board. Aquarius has informed ITMRCC via phone that Aquarius is responding. Aquarius current PoS. is 34-27.4N 012-38.6E. We are currently going to max. speed. ETA 0130Z 24Sep.  Aquarius will be standing by for any updates and instructions from either RCC.

Best regards,”

Aquarius overhears Italian Military Aircraft calling merchant ship on Channel 16, giving it orders to divert to position 33°12’ N, 014°03’8 E, the position of the boat in distress. Italian military aircraft informs it is a rubber boat with approx. 50 people and it urgently needs assistance. The aircraft informs it has shot one SAR kit from their aircraft. The merchant ship confirms it will need 4 hours to reach the requested position.

Inmarsat distress alert is sent to all ships containing same information about a sinking boat containing approx. 100 people and requesting all ships in the area to proceed immediately to the position provided.

Aquarius calls ITMRCC to inform it is 1.8 NM from distress scene and ask for more information. ITMRCC replies that this SAR event is under the coordination of Libyan Coast Guard. Aquarius says it is impossible to contact JRCC Tripoli and on the Inmarsat message it says to contact JRCC via ITMRCC on this number. ITMRCC says that the Libyan Coast Guard intercepted the people from the rubber boat but that they have no other information, “but the LCG rescued all the people”.

Aquarius says its most updated information is about an Italian military aircraft dropping SAR kits and reporting bodies in the water. ITMRCC replies this case is under responsibility of the Libyan JRCC.

Aquarius repeats that the Inmarsat message indicates to contact the JRCC Libya via the ITMRCC. Aquarius repeats that contact with JRCC Tripoli is impossible and that it was confirmed with the ITMRCC duty officer earlier to proceed to the distress scene despite the distance Aquarius would need to cover. ITMRCC says that the LCG rescued the people, but that it is unclear how many people. ITMRCC is unable to confirm that there have been no deaths.

After investigation, the empty life raft shows traces of people having used it, since it contains 1 t-shirt and the emergency kits have been used.

Easy 1 reports no casualties or bodies at location of deflated rubber boat but reports that the rubber boat has been slashed

“Dear Sirs,

At present, the Aquarius 2 is Heading north with 58 survivors aboard. We acknowledge your past responses. As the
two RCCs best situated we are requesting again help in finding a place of safety as soon as possible for the wellbeing
of the survivors on board the Aquarius 2.

Sincerely yours,”

Malta informs Aquarius by email that it is “neither the appropriate nor the competent authority to provide you with a place of safety”

“Good evening,
following your last request, be advised that no PoS will be provided in Italy by Italian Authority considering that the SAR case was not coordinated by this MRCC.”

Maritime patrol aircraft on Channel 16 calls *** **** twice with no response

Maritime patrol aircraft calls “any vessel in the vicinity” on Channel 16

Aquarius responds. Maritime patrol aircraft says that they are trying to contract *** **** who should be in the vicinity of a rubber boat in distress and tasked to conduct a rescue by MRCC but cannot be located. Maritime Patrol aircraft asks Aquarius if they have had contact with *** ****. Aquarius replies negative. The position of the rubber boat in distress is 33°35’4N, 012°27’E and it is Heading north at a speed of 5 to 6 knots. 50 NM from Aquarius’ current position.

Aquarius calls ITMRCC to inform about the maritime patrol aircraft regarding a boat in distress close to Sabratah oil field. Aquarius asks for instructions. ITMRCC says that the Libyan JRCC is coordinating this case. Aquarius repeats it has tried to contact them multiple times, via VHF, radio and email over the past four days to request coordination for SAR operations, without success. Aquarius asks ITMRCC for coordination as the best suited authority in the area. Aquarius informs it has altered Course. ITMRCC says it cannot coordinate this SAR event.

Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Belgium, Ireland, Gibraltar, Monaco, Switzerland, Malta

“Dear Sirs,

Please be informed that the Aquarius 2 has received an alert for a rubber boat in distress within the Libyan SRR at PoS. 33-35.4 N 012-27-0E with between  100-150 pax on board. This information was received by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft(MPA) “Seagull 95.” Aquarius has tried to contact JRCC Tripoli but has had no answer (this has been consistently the case for a week regarding other SAR events). It is also important to note that we have consistently attempted to contact ITMRCC who in response informs us that we must contact JRCC Tripoli. Consistently, we have been trying all of this with no success. The confusion around the coordination of the rescue operation only delays the intervention and puts the lives of those in danger at further unnecessary risk. Since there is an ongoing conflict in Tripoli right now, perhaps JRCC Tripoli are unable to reply.

At present, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the position of the distress. Seagull 95 has been trying to contact *** ***** (callsign ********  MMSI **********); however, this appears not to have worked. It is important to mention that *** ***** was in contact with MPA Colibri yesterday and was informed of a boat in distress with 30pax near their position. They informed the Colibri that they could not help and then moved away from the boat in distress leaving the people in danger. Again for this reason, the Aquarius 2 is proceeding towards the distress position and will assist immediately if needed as per International Maritime Law. We request that a RCC in a position to reply please coordinate this event for the safety of those people on board the boat in distress. Please send a Inmarsat C alert to all vessels in the area. Weather conditions in the area are getting steadily worse over the coming hours and next days.

For any other questions please refer to our electronic logbook, available at onboard-aquarius.org.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best regards,”

ITMRCC calls Aquarius informing that the Libyan Coast has completed the rescue of the boat in distress. Aquarius asks for a SAR number and the position of the boat. ITMRCC is unable to provide this information.

Aquarius calls ITMRCC to inform that a merchant ship has rescued or is rescuing people. Aquarius informs that either the information provided by ITMRCC earlier was inaccurate or there is a second rescue Underway. Aquarius informs that it remains ready to assist any rescue operation and has two doctors, two nurses and a midwife on board to provide medical assistance in case of need.

Merchant vessel responds and says there are currently no medical needs, but that they will be in touch in case the situation changes

Aquarius informs European MRCCs that a rescue operation of a rubber boat in distress was conducted by a merchant vessel and informs of Aquarius’ medical capacities if necessary to intervene.

“Dears Sir,

Please be informed that *** **** at PoS 33-39.5N 012-31.0E  SOG 7.5 COG 046 carried out rescue operation of a rubber boat in distress. Aquarius has contacted *** **** to offer assistance if needed for any medical emergencies(Aquarius has 2 emergency doctors, 2 nurses and 1 midwife). Aquarius is in a position to bring all rescued people onboard and to transit them to a place of safety. As Libya is not currently a place of safety, legally the rescued people should not be sent back to Libya.   Aquarius is standing by for any instructions from any competent RCC.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Best Regards,”

Aquarius is currently sailing north at a speed of 2.7 knots. Aquarius’ current position is 34°01.12′ N, 12°51.22′ E.

• Course: 7°
• Wind: 15 knots
• Waves: 2 metres
• Sea scale: 3

At a speed of 8.9 knots, Aquarius is Heading towards Malta in deteriorated weather conditions. Aquarius’ current position is 35°14.73 N, 013°10.79 E.

• Waves: 2 metres
• Wind: 20 knots
• Sea state: 3
• Course: 60°

RCC Malta informs Aquarius that a transfer of the survivors will take place in International waters, only in two or three days time due to the current bad weather conditions.

Aquarius is waiting for the weather to improve, just outside Maltese territorial waters. Waves are approximately 2 metres high, 20 knots wind and Sea state is 4. Aquarius’ current position is 35°45.08N, 013°57.24E

With winds of 20 knots and 3 metre waves, Aquarius is still waiting in International waters in front of Malta for a transfer of the 58 survivors on-board.

Aquarius is currently in position 35°39′ N, 014°15′ E, south west of Malta. Aquarius can move at best speed approximately 9.5 knots so asks RCC Malta to provide enough time in advance to proceed to point of transfer

RCC Malta informs Aquarius that the transfer of the survivors will take place around 11h this morning, south of Malta.

Currently swell is 0.8 metres and winds are of around 5 knots

RCC Malta provides Aquarius with order of disembarkation to be the following:
1. Medical cases
2. Unaccompanied minors
3. Families
4. Females
5. Males
6. Dog’s owner and dog

Aquarius is in position and ready to start transfer. Visual of Maltese Armed Forces’ Patrol Boat arriving on Aquarius’ position.

Aquarius is Heading north towards Marseille at a speed of 8.4 knots. Current position is 41°22.12 N, 010°01.95 E

• Waves: 1.5 metres
• Sea state: 3
• Wind: 15 knots