Ben Cowles
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AN NGO refugee rescue ship was released from its five-month detention in Italy today.
Following an inspection by the Italian coastguard, the Ocean Viking rescue ship was finally given permission to leave Sicily, where it had been held since July 22 following the disembarkation of 181 rescued refugees.
“Today marks the end of a lengthy, costly and difficult race against time,” said Frederic Penard, director of operations for SOS Mediterranee, the European charity that owns and operates the Ocean Viking.
“Our teams have worked day and night over the past five months so that the ship could set sail and save lives again. Meanwhile, hundreds of people died at sea.
“It has been beyond painful for us as seafarers to be prevented from rescuing on the basis that NGO ships were suddenly no longer considered safe enough by Italian authorities.
“European States did not replace us to rescue people in distress in the meantime. We are deeply thankful for the tremendous support we receive from European citizens who do not give up and stay committed to the principle of humanity on shore and at sea, despite the obstacles search and rescue NGOs constantly have to overcome.
“We need you to continue to save lives next year.”
The Ocean Viking will soon head to Marseille, France, to restock and bring on new rescue and medical teams, SOS Mediterranee announced this evening.
The International Organisation for Migration estimates that 316 people have drowned while attempting to cross the central Mediterranean this year.
The EU-supported Libyan coastguard has intercepted and returned 11,891 people this year, according to the IOM’s estimates. IOM and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) have repeatedly warned that the war-torn country is not safe for refugees.
Five other NGO rescue ships — The Sea Watch 3, Sea Watch 4, Mare Junio and the Louise Michel — are still barred from returning to sea.
Meanwhile, Spanish charity Open Arms’ ship, the Open Arms, is preparing to return to the Mediterranean in the next few days.
Basque charity Humanitarian Maritime Rescue (SMH) has also announced that its ship, the Aita Mari, will be returning to the central Mediterranean in January.
