Discover the Aita-Mari: Ratings & Maritime News

On March 15, 2026, the 'Aita Mari' undertook a vital rescue operation, saving 32 migrants who were stranded for two harrowing days in an overcrowded inflatable boat in the central Mediterranean. Among those rescued were nine minors, ranging from ages two to 17, and a pregnant woman who was eight months along. These individuals originated from various nations, including Cameroon, Eritrea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, and the Ivory Coast, as reported by the NGO Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (SMH), which operates the vessel. The medical crew aboard the 'Aita Mari' performed an immediate health assessment on the survivors, who exhibited signs of exhaustion, dehydration, prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures, and minor injuries linked to their perilous journey and cramped conditions on the boat. While some individuals required basic medical care, fortunately, all 32 migrants were deemed out of immediate danger. The ship plans to dock at the designated port of Vibo Valentia, with an expected arrival time of March 17 at noon. The 'Aita Mari' had departed from Valencia on March 11, highlighting its ongoing commitment to aiding vulnerable populations in distress.

On December 19, 2023, the humanitarian vessel 'Aita Mari' successfully rescued 56 individuals in the central Mediterranean, including seven young children. Among those saved was a two-month-old infant who required urgent medical attention for severe malnutrition and dehydration, prompting an emergency evacuation alongside their parents. While these rescues were underway, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Rome issued an SAR NAVTEX alert concerning a fishing boat carrying 50 migrants that had departed from Tunisia, located in an unidentified region. The 'Aita Mari' promptly acknowledged the alert and extended its support for search and rescue operations. After coordinating with Italian authorities, the ship was directed to proceed to the port of Brindisi, approximately two days away, to safely disembark the rescued individuals. The NGO operating the 'Aita Mari' has vocally criticized the practice of assigning ports that are distant from rescue zones, arguing that such policies diminish the efficiency of rescue efforts in the Mediterranean Sea.

On December 1 at 6:32 a.m., the NGO vessel 'Aita Mari', operated by Humanitarian Maritime Rescue (SMH), successfully rescued 26 migrants in the central Mediterranean. This operation took place approximately 40 miles south of Lampedusa. The group included ten adults, consisting of three women—one of whom was a mother and another who was pregnant—and seven men, alongside one infant and 15 minors hailing from Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan. All rescued individuals are currently receiving vital humanitarian aid from the crew aboard the 'Aita Mari'. The rescue mission was further supported by the search and rescue (SAR) boat 'Louise Michel', which assisted in coordinating the efforts in the area. After the successful rescue, Italian authorities designated Civitavecchia as the appropriate port for disembarkation, which is approximately three days sailing distance from the current position of the 'Aita Mari'.

In a significant judicial victory for humanitarian efforts, the Valencia Economic and Administrative Jury (TEAV) has overturned a fee assessment levied by the Valencian Government against the non-governmental organization, Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (SMH). The TEAV has affirmed the NGO's exemption from such charges due to its vital humanitarian mission, in compliance with existing legal provisions. The ruling nullifies previous port fee assessments totaling €80,000 issued by the Port Authority of the Valencian Government. This amount initially included €63,000, along with an additional claim of €13,000. The SMH clarified that these fees were assessed between July and August 2024 for the 'Aita Mari', which has been stationed at the ports of Burriana and Vinaròs over the last three years. Notably, the Generalitat, or Catalan Government, had refrained from imposing such assessments since 2016, recognizing that vessels operated by legally established, non-profit humanitarian organizations are exempt from these charges when they must anchor in public port areas for operational purposes.

On April 13, 2025, the NGO salvage ship 'Aita Mari' successfully rescued 125 individuals attempting to cross the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea. This marked the second rescue mission conducted by the nonprofit organization Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (SMH) within a week. Just a day after the rescue, 108 of those saved were disembarked in Salerno on April 14. Among the rescued migrants were 19 minors, including 16 who were unaccompanied, and two children under the age of 12, as well as two expectant mothers. The group comprised individuals from various countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Togo, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, and Niger. Following the disembarkation, the 'Aita Mari' returned to its mission in the Central Mediterranean. Responding to a critical situation identified by Alarm Phone, the ship was directed to a rubber dinghy in distress, which was taking on water with 84 people aboard. After two hours of attempting to reach out to maritime authorities with no success, the 'Aita Mari' located the compromised vessel, which had previously been identified by a Frontex surveillance aircraft. During the rescue operation, another wooden boat carrying 45 individuals appeared on the scene. While transferring 41 people from this second boat to the safety of the 'Aita Mari', four individuals managed to start their engines and fled the area. The Italian Coast Guard had designated Catania as the destination for disembarkation, set for the early afternoon on April 14. However, rough weather conditions, including winds of 30 knots and wave heights projected at 1.5 to 2 meters, threatened a safe passage for those onboard. On the morning of April 14, while the 'Aita Mari' was actively searching for another rubber dinghy, a Libyan Coast Guard patrol boat, identified as 648, approached at high speed. Crew members onboard the Libyan vessel brandished automatic weapons, aggressively instructing the 'Aita Mari' to leave the area. Moments later, the crew of the 'Aita Mari' witnessed the interception of a rubber dinghy, with its passengers likely destined for detention centers in Libya. Reports from survivors of these centers raise serious concerns regarding the protection of their rights and physical safety. For more details and images regarding this operation, visit the full report here: https://www.naiz.eus/eu/info/noticia/20250413/aita-mari-rescata-a-125-personas-en-el-mediterraneo-segundo-salvamento-en-siete-dias.

On the morning of November 27, the vessel 'Aita Mari' successfully rescued a group of 33 migrants of Syrian descent in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically within the Libyan Search and Rescue (SAR) zone. The operation, conducted by the NGO Maritime Humanitarian Rescue (SMH), included two women and three unaccompanied minors among those saved. Tensions escalated during the rescue as a Libyan Coast Guard ship approached the vessel, causing panic among the migrants. Fortunately, all individuals were brought to safety and provided with essential medical care, food, and water. Currently, the 'Aita Mari' is en route to the designated port of Salerno, a journey expected to take two days, despite closer ports being available that could accommodate the vessel.

On November 20, the humanitarian vessel 'Aita Mari' safely docked in Catania, Italy, carrying 53 rescued migrants from the turbulent waters of the central Mediterranean. Among those onboard were numerous young individuals and minors, who had endured a harrowing three days adrift before being rescued. The disembarkation process commenced at approximately 4:00 p.m., prioritizing the urgent medical needs of two individuals in critical condition. Italian medical authorities promptly verified the initial evaluations conducted by the ship's medical team. The rescued migrants hail from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, nations grappling with ongoing armed conflicts and severe humanitarian crises. The crew of the 'Aita Mari' gathered poignant testimonies from the survivors, many of whom recounted perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert. Facing extreme hardships, these individuals found themselves stranded in Libya, where they unfortunately suffered torture, beatings, and imprisonment in detention centers run by militias and corrupt factions. Desperate for freedom, several had to pay hefty sums under the threat of violence to escape their dire circumstances. Upon their arrival in Catania, the migrants were placed under the protection of Italian authorities, who will oversee the commencement of their asylum applications. Meanwhile, the 'Aita Mari' is expected to remain docked for several days, as weather forecasts predict approaching storms.