Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Ocean-Viking

On March 23, 2023, the humanitarian vessel 'Ocean Viking', operated by the French NGO SOS Méditerranée, docked in Palermo after a harrowing rescue operation involving 116 migrants stranded on a gas platform off the Tunisian coast. The group, which included 39 unaccompanied minors, a child, and two infants under the age of one, had been attempting to reach Lampedusa but found themselves in dire conditions aboard two dangerously overcrowded boats. After enduring four nights exposed to the elements, the migrants were severely weakened, having spent their nights outdoors amid perilous weather conditions. The rescue mission faced significant challenges due to rough seas, with wave heights reaching nearly five meters. The stormy weather created a dangerous swell as 'Ocean Viking' navigated towards the gas platform, making the evacuation of the distressed individuals particularly risky. Fortunately, personnel aboard the platform assisted in safely lowering the survivors down a ladder, facilitating their transfer to the ship. This rescue operation highlights the ongoing humanitarian crises faced by individuals fleeing violence and impoverished conditions in their home countries, notably Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria. The plight of these migrants continues to draw attention to the need for safe passage and assistance in the Mediterranean region.

The humanitarian vessel 'Ocean Viking' is set to resume its vital rescue missions following extensive repairs carried out in Syracuse. The repairs were necessitated by an assault from the so-called Libyan Coastguard on August 24, which resulted in significant damage to the ship's bridge. The restoration efforts, costing upwards of €130,000, have successfully reinstated all systems and equipment to operational status. Additionally, safety training for the crew has been enhanced, and operational protocols have been updated to ensure future missions are conducted more securely. Despite the passage of several months since the attack, the individuals responsible for the incident remain unidentified. The Marseille-based non-governmental organization, SOS Méditerranée, continues to advocate for accountability, having lodged criminal complaints in Italy and France, with ongoing legal proceedings in Germany. With these recent developments, the 'Ocean Viking' is gearing up for its return to the Mediterranean Sea to continue its essential life-saving work.

In a strong response to a recent maritime incident, SOS Méditerranée has officially lodged a complaint in France regarding the violent confrontation involving their search and rescue ship, the 'Ocean Viking.' This distressing event occurred on August 24, when the vessel was targeted by the Libyan Coast Guard while operating in international waters. At the time of the attack, which mercifully resulted in no injuries, the 'Ocean Viking' was carrying 87 rescued individuals and a dedicated crew of 34. On October 7, SOS Méditerranée, alongside seven French crew members, filed their complaint in Marseille, citing charges of 'attempted murder' and 'criminal conspiracy.' Marie Geoffroy, the legal representative for the French crew, emphasized the severity of the incident, revealing that over 100 rounds were discharged towards the ship, endangering the lives of everyone on board. "The complaint against unknown assailants is a crucial step towards uncovering the full details of this grave attack and holding accountable those who have supplied resources to the Libyan Coast Guard," she stated. This incident highlights the increasing risks faced by humanitarian missions at sea and raises questions about international accountability in naval operations.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally addressed Libya regarding the alarming attack on the 'Ocean Viking' in the Mediterranean, deeming the incident unacceptable. On August 24, the vessel was subjected to gunfire from the so-called Libyan Coastguard while operating in international waters. The ministry urged Libyan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the event and to implement measures that would prevent such dangerous occurrences in the future. This serious violation placed the safety of the vessel, its crew, and the individuals aboard at grave risk, according to the Ministry's statement. At the time of the attack, 'Ocean Viking' was carrying a total of 120 people, consisting of nine crew members and 111 survivors from prior rescue missions. Notably, SOS Méditerranée, in partnership with the Red Cross, reported that hundreds of shots were fired during the incident; fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the vessel sustained only minor damage. Prior to the attack, 'Ocean Viking' successfully rescued 47 migrants, including nine minors who were fleeing conflict in Sudan, just a day earlier on August 23.

The humanitarian vessel 'Ocean Viking,' which successfully disembarked 87 migrants in Augusta on August 25, continues to remain anchored off the port at position 37° 14' N, 015° 12' E as of September 1. This situation persists on the directive of Italian authorities, leaving 34 onboard, including 25 personnel from SOS Mediterranée and the Red Cross alongside nine crew members, unable to disembark or receive medical assistance. During the disembarkation, an unaccompanied minor was isolated by USMAF, Italy's health authority responsible for initial sanitary checks, after testing positive for tuberculosis (TB). This case had been identified by the onboard medical staff earlier, prompting immediate isolation protocols as per health regulations. The individual has since been referred to Italian health authorities for necessary medical intervention, leading to the denial of the 'Ocean Viking' a 'Free Practice' declaration—an essential approval that certifies the ship is free from infectious diseases, thus hindering the crew’s disembarkation. While the rescued migrants have been relocated to a temporary facility in Augusta, the presence of EUAA (European Asylum Agency) and IRC (International Rescue Committee) personnel is facilitating support and information exchange. On August 27, at 11:45 a.m., health professionals from Italy boarded the ship to conduct Mantoux tests (tuberculin skin tests) for all crew members, with results expected between August 29 and August 30. Individuals who have previously received the BCG vaccine may yield false positive results and will undergo chest x-rays to confirm active infection status, as informed by USMAF. However, the drawn-out testing protocol raises concerns about adherence to international medical standards for TB management. The infected minor was promptly isolated onboard with minimized contact, utilizing personal protective equipment prior to transfer to USMAF. Furthermore, tests were conducted less than 96 hours post-exposure, a timing deemed inappropriate according to international guidelines, as immune responses develop weeks later. As per standards from the EU Tuberculosis Care (ESTC) and insights from the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and ECDC, TB transmission requires prolonged unprotected exposure, a condition not met in this instance. WHO recommendations state that isolation or quarantine is only warranted for individuals with confirmed active TB or genuine high-risk contacts and should always be the least restrictive option available. Accordingly, the current extended detention of crew and staff lacks substantial medical and ethical justification. This situation compounds existing psychological trauma stemming from a prior incident involving the Libyan Coast Guard, highlighting the urgent need for their swift disembarkation to provide access to psychological support and transition to a safe environment, distinct from the distressing ordeal.

On August 27, Lucille Guenier, a sea rescuer aboard the 'Ocean Viking', recounted a harrowing incident involving the so-called Libyan Coastguard which opened fire at eye level. The assault, characterized by several minutes of intense shelling, has been described by Guenier as an alarming escalation of violence in the Mediterranean. She stated, "Their intention was to kill people," emphasizing the dire implications for maritime safety. Guenier urged the European Union to reconsider and halt its cooperation with the Libyan Coastguard immediately. Additionally, Luise Amtsberg, a member of the Green Party in the German Bundestag, echoed calls for repercussions in light of this incident. Fortunately, the survivors aboard the 'Ocean Viking' had disembarked safely in Augusta on the evening of August 25, with no injuries reported. As of August 28, the rescue vessel remains docked in port, drawing attention to the urgent need for reforms in maritime governance.

In a significant development, the European Union has stepped in after the Libyan Coastguard allegedly opened fire on the humanitarian vessel 'Ocean Viking.' Markus Lammert, the EU spokesperson for Home Affairs and Migration, stated on August 26 that the organization had reached out to Libyan authorities to demand clarification regarding the incident. This action comes in response to a report by the rescue organization SOS Méditerranée, which documented the attack with images of shell casings and shattered windows onboard the ship. At the time of the incident, the 'Ocean Viking' was on a mission to rescue individuals from a rubber dinghy off the coast of Libya, bringing aboard 87 migrants, including nine unaccompanied minors. The 'Ocean Viking' successfully docked in Augusta, Sicily, on August 25 and remained at the port on August 27 while the situation was assessed.

On August 24, the humanitarian vessel 'Ocean Viking' encountered a dangerous situation in international waters when it was targeted by gunfire from the Libyan Coastguard. This dramatic incident unfolded as the ship was carrying 111 rescued migrants, after having responded to a distress call from Italian authorities for a new rescue operation. According to SOS Méditerranée, the organization operating the vessel, a barrage of bullets was fired at the ship, leading to photos being released showing shell casings and damaged portholes in its structure. At the time of the attack, the 'Ocean Viking' had 120 individuals onboard, which included nine crew members and 111 survivors from prior rescue efforts. Fortunately, despite the sustained shooting that lasted over five minutes, there were no injuries reported, and the vessel sustained only minor damage. Earlier in the night of August 23, the 'Ocean Viking' had safely rescued 47 migrants from a perilous rubber dinghy off the coast of Libya, with many fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The rescued group included nine unaccompanied minors. Following the dangerous rescue operation, the vessel was designated to head towards Marina di Carrara, a port located approximately 1,300 kilometers away from the rescue site, leading to an estimated transit time of three and a half days. SOS Méditerranée has publicly criticized the extensive distance of the designated port, raising concerns about the treatment and well-being of the rescued migrants during this lengthy journey. The Norwegian Central Rescue Service has confirmed this alarming incident. For further updates and visuals, SOS Méditerranée has shared a report highlighting the event on their social media platform.

On June 14, the NGO vessel 'Solidaire' arrived at the port of Ravenna carrying 76 migrants who had been rescued from perilous conditions in the Mediterranean Sea. In a separate operation, the 'Ocean Viking,' operated by Sos Mediterranée, successfully saved 70 individuals, docking at the port of Marina di Carrara on June 16. Meanwhile, the 'Sea Watch 5' undertook its own rescue mission, saving 53 migrants, and was subsequently directed by Italian authorities to the port of Pozzallo. These operations underline the ongoing humanitarian efforts in the region amidst a continuing migration crisis.

In a remarkable humanitarian operation, the 'Ocean Viking', operated by SOS Méditerranée, successfully rescued 273 migrants off the coasts of Tunisia and Malta on the morning of May 17. This rescue mission involved three separate operations involving boats in peril, which included seven children among the vulnerable migrants. Many of those rescued were suffering from severe exhaustion and seasickness, necessitating immediate medical assistance from the organization's dedicated teams. The rescue efforts commenced early in the morning when the 'Ocean Viking' received an alert from AlarmPhone regarding an overcrowded wooden vessel in the Tunisian Search and Rescue (SAR) region. Crews quickly responded and managed to rescue 65 individuals from this initial boat. Moments later, another alert from AlarmPhone sent the vessel to a second distressed boat. Here, the SAR vessel 'Aurora' from Sea Watch was already conducting an initial evaluation of 77 migrants, including two minors. Following the assessment, all were safely transferred aboard the 'Ocean Viking'. Continuing their search efforts, the crew later identified a third wooden boat in distress within the Maltese SAR zone, leading to the rescue of 131 more people, which included a baby and four additional children. The operation underscores the vital role of search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean amid ongoing migration challenges.

On May 8, the humanitarian vessel 'Sea-Watch 5' successfully rescued 190 individuals from two distressed boats in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship has been directed to Civitavecchia, designated as a safe port for disembarkation. This operation follows a prior rescue conducted by the 'Aurora', another ship operated by the same NGO, which salvaged 71 migrants during the night of May 3-4. Earlier in the week, on May 1, the 'Sea-Watch 5' had already assisted 109 people, who were disembarked on May 3 before the vessel returned to the rescue area. On that occasion, 104 migrants, including 41 minors, were initially rescued from a single boat, with an additional five individuals picked up from the water while searching for another distressed vessel. In a separate operation, the crew of the 'Ocean Viking' rescued 108 people from two overcrowded boats in the Libyan search and rescue zone on the morning of May 5. Among the survivors was an 11-month-old baby, with many needing immediate medical care for exhaustion and seasickness. The 'Ocean Viking' has been assigned Ortona as its safe port, located 1,296 kilometers from the rescue zone. For a detailed report and accompanying visuals, visit: https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/64459/mer-mediterranee--190-migrants-secourus-par-le-navire-humanitaire-seawatch-5.