Discover the Golfo-Azzurro: Ratings & Maritime News

On Tuesday, the Libyan coastguard came into conflict with the humanitarian rescue ship Golfo Azzurro, which is operated by the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms. While conducting a training exercise 27 miles off the Libyan coast in international waters, the crew of the Golfo Azzurro noticed a Libyan vessel approaching them at high speed. According to reports, the coastguard threatened to open fire on the rescue workers unless they complied with orders to head to Tripoli. Audio recordings from the incident reveal a member of the coastguard asserting control, stating, "You are under custody, sir. If you don’t follow the orders we will target you." The coastguard emphasized Libya's sovereignty, imploring the crew of Golfo Azzurro to sail toward Tripoli port and asserting that previous warnings had been issued. Laura Lanuza, spokesperson for Proactiva Open Arms, shared her concerns with Euronews, stating, "Our boat was engaged in a rescue training exercise when we were approached and threatened by the Libyan Coast Guard." The situation highlights ongoing tensions and challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in the Mediterranean.

On August 9, 2023, Italy extended a lifeline to the rescue ship 'Golfo Azzurro' by allowing it to dock at Pozzallo, Sicily, following a protracted debate with Malta regarding the disembarkation of rescued migrants. The 'Golfo Azzurro', which was diverted to conduct a rescue operation while en route to Malta for a scheduled crew change, encountered significant challenges when Maltese authorities instructed it to proceed to Lampedusa. The vessel was subsequently denied entry, forcing it to remain in international waters off the Sicilian coast. After three days of uncertainty, a mechanical issue prompted the Italian Coastguard to permit the ship's entry into Pozzallo. Upon arrival, three Libyan nationals were disembarked, sharing harrowing accounts of persecution and threats to their lives in Libya. All three are now expected to seek asylum in Italy, shedding light on the ongoing crisis faced by migrants in the region.

The rescue ship 'Golfo Azzurro', which is operated by the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, remains stranded just outside the territorial waters of Italy. This situation arose after the vessel successfully rescued three migrants from a small boat approximately 100 miles off the coast of Libya, an operation that took place 72 hours ago. Since the rescue, 'Golfo Azzurro' has been navigating the waters between Malta and Italy, maintaining a parallel route with Malta and subsequently moving towards the Italian coastline. As of the afternoon on August 8, the ship has been positioned near Italian waters, close to Sicily, while awaiting further instructions from Italian authorities. In the evening, the vessel made a move northward towards Pozzallo, a decision catalyzed by a diplomatic standoff between Maltese and Italian officials. Both countries have faced criticism for their refusal to allow the migrants to disembark. Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne reinforced that Malta holds the right to refuse harbor to the migrants, thus solidifying the impasse. Initially, the 'Golfo Azzurro' was directed towards Lampedusa; however, the route was redirected to Malta after Italian authorities claimed the NGO failed to adhere to the latest code of conduct for refugee rescues. In a further twist, the Maltese government maintained that under international maritime law, the ship should land at the nearest safe port, which is determined to be Lampedusa in this instance. It is worth noting that the 'Golfo Azzurro' was initially thought to be operated by the Dutch NGO Boat Refugee Foundation; however, it has since come to light that ownership has transitioned to Proactiva Open Arms recently.