SAR Operations > Valencia (2018.06.09-17)

Aquarius is leaving the rescue zone and proceed to North for the technical portcall.

Aquarius shifts the berth from 110 to 66, for the installation of a 20 feet reefer container with a shore crane. The container will be used as a morgue if dead bodies are recovered at sea.

Aquarius leaves the port of Marseille, France, and starts heading towards the Capo Spartivento, at the southern tip of the island of Sardinia, Italy.

Aquarius is in position 41°19.4′ N, 006°37.1′ E, sailing at a speed of 9.8 knots.

• Wind: 5 knots
• Swell: 0.8 meters
• Sea state: 2

Aquarius hears a VHF call by the Algerian Coast Guard on channel 16 alerting a vessel in the area to a possible boat with migrants onboard in position 38°11.6′ N, 008°09’06, in the Algerian Search and Rescue Region.

Aquarius cannot hear if any information is given about the people on the boat nor its situation.

After having called MRCC Tunis and MRCC Alger, Aquarius receives a phone call back from MRCC Alger, seeking to confirm that Aquarius heard Algerian Coast Guard broadcasting a position on VHF channel 16. Aquarius confirms the position heard from the Algerian Coast Guard. MRCC Alger informs of an ongoing search operation.

Aquarius informs of her position and availability to assist, being equiped with three rescue boats on board, a search and rescue team and medical staff. MRCC Alger confirms it will call Aquarius if any assistance is needed.

Aquarius is sailing through the Strait of Sicily at a speed of 10 knots, currently in position 37°34.7′ N, 010°42.7′ E, North of Tunis. Mass floatation devices are inflated and ready for rescues.

• Course over ground (COG): 122°
• Wind: 5-10 knots
• Swell: 0.5
• Sea state: 2

Aquarius enters the zone where Italian and Maltese Search and Rescue Regions overlap, as declared in the Global SAR Plan.

Aquarius is sailing along the coast of Tunisia at a speed of 10 knots, currently in position 35°21.3′ N, 011°58.7′ E.

Teams onboard start watching the sea from the bridge with binoculars to search for boats in distress.

• Course over ground (COG): 170°
• Wind: 10 knots
• Swell: 0.5
• Sea state: 2

Aquarius stops sailing to conduct rescue drills, including familiarisation with mass floatation devices. Navigation is resumed at 12h25.

Aquarius stops to conduct a rescue simulation. Three RHIB and mass floation devices (rafts and bananas) are launched in the water. Navigation resumes at 18h25.

Aquarius enters the Libyan Search and Rescue Region (SRR), in international waters.

From now on, according to the global SAR plan and the SAR Convention, any SAR case is under the responsibility of the Libyan Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC).

On 27^th June 2018, coordinates of the Libyan JRCC were uploaded on the GISIS, thereby legitimizing the coordination of rescues by this JRCC in the Libyan SRR.

The responsibilities of a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) are:

• To coordinate rescues on a 24-hour basis;
• To provide a place of safety for survivors or ensure that such a place of safety is provided;
• To arrange disembarkation as soon as reasonably practicable.

According to Maritime conventions and resolutions,

• Upon the declaration of a distress phase, a RCC shall initiate “search and rescue operations when the position of the search object is unknown” (SAR Convention, art. 4.5.4).
• As soon as the RCC responsible for a SRR in which assistance is needed is informed about a distress situation, it “should immediately accept responsibility for coordinating the rescue efforts” (MSC.167(78), art 6.7).
• RCCs “should be prepared to act quickly on their own, or have processes in place, as necessary, to involve other authorities, so that timely decisions can be reached with regard to handling of survivors” (MSC.167(78), art 6.4).
• A RCC “should make every effort to minimize the time survivors remain on board the assisting ship” (MSC.167(78), art 6.8).
• A RCC “shall have available up-to-date information especially concerning search and rescue facilities and available communications relevant to search and rescue operations in its area” (SAR Convention, art 4.2.1).

Upon entering the Libyan Search and Rescue Region, Aquarius sends a “notice of readiness for SAR operations” to the Libyan JRCC, copying the Italian MRCC, the Maltese MRCC and EUNAVFOR Med.

“MV AQUARIUS declares readiness for SAR operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea, south of Lampedusa and Malta, outside of Libyan Territorial Waters.

Actual position: N 34-08.1  E 012-13.1

Proceeding with course 174 degrees speed 9,5 kts towards patrolling area ca. 30 NM(night) 24nm(day) off Libyan coast between Long. of Zuwarah and Zawiya.“

Aquarius also provides the required technical information about the vessel.

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 4,3 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°25.8′ N, 012°04.3′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 300°
• Wind: 15 knots
• Waves: 1.2 meters
• Sea state: 3

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 3,2 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.7′ N, 012°12.5′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 130°
• Wind: 16-18 knots
• Waves: 1.5 meters
• Sea state: 3-4

Aquarius receives a phone call from Colibri, asking for an update from Aquarius. Colibri informs that it will take off soon, flying first in the area West of Tripoli and thereafter East of Tripoli. Aquarius provides current position.

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 3 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.5′ N, 012°13.3′ E, North of Zuwarah.

• Course over ground (COG): 125°
• Wind: 13 knots
• Swell: 2 meters
• Sea state: 4

Aquarius is patrolling in the international waters West of Tripoli at a speed of 4 knots, at 25 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°21.6′ N, 012°12.8′ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 123°
• Wind: 4 knots
• Swell: 1 meter
• Sea state: 2

Through the binoculars, teams onboard Aquarius spot a potential target. Aquarius starts running second engine to increase speed and investigate it. The target is eventually identified as a fishing vessel.

Aquarius stops engine to conduct an exercise with two RHIB, Easy 2 and Easy 3.

Colibri airplane calls Aquarius on satellite phone to inform that it will soon take off and conduct an aerial search over the zone West of Tripoli. Aquarius provides present position and informs of good weather conditions.

Colibri flies over the area patrolled by Aquarius. It then informs Aquarius via VHF that it is leaving the patrolling area without information about boats in distress.

Aquarius is approached at 50-60 meters distance by a speedboat coming alongside the Aquarius. There are 4 individuals on board, not wearing a uniform. They wave towards the Aquarius. The speedboat passes the bow, turns around and sails further away, next to a fishing vessel, where it remains for around 15 minutes.

Aquarius resumed navigation at 17h05. It is now patrolling at 24 nautical miles from the Libyan coast at a speed of 4 knots. Current position is 33°28.9′ N, 011°.54.9′ E

• Course over ground (COG): 121°
• Wind: 14 knots
• Swell: 0.5 meter
• Sea state: 2

SAR Operations > Malta (2018.08.09-15)

The inspection of Aquarius is made in accordance with the Paris and Mediterranean Memoranda of Understanding on Port State Control.

At a speed of 10 knots, Aquarius is sailing through the Strait of Sicily, between Tunisia and Italy. It is currently in position 37°23.3′ N, 011°21.9′ E.

• Course : 299°
• Wind: 10 knots
• Swell: 1.5 meters
• Sea state: 3

SAR Operations > Tunisian Navy boat (2018.08.09-15)

At a speed of 6.5 knots, Aquarius is sailing along the western coast of Sardinia, currently in position 40°00.5′ N, 007°22.9′ E.

• Course : 335°
• Wind: 20-25 knots
• Waves: 3.5 meters
• Sea state: 5-6

At a speed of 9 knots, Aquarius is on its way to Marseille, currently in position 42°35.7′ N, 005°42.6′ E.

• Course : 333°
• Wind: 10-15 knots
• Swell: 2.5 meters
• Sea state: 4

The survey has been completed, leading Aquarius to set sail in fulfillment of Panama’s regulation requirements. The official name of Aquarius is now “Aquarius 2” as “Aquarius” was already taken in the Panama register.

Aquarius leaves the port of Marseille after an extended port call.

Aquarius is currently sailing off the western coast of Sardinia, heading south at a speed of 9.6 knots. Current position is 41°05.26′ N, 006°40.00′ E.

Course: 155°

Wind: 5-10 knots

Swell: 0.5

Sea State: 2

Aquarius stops at position 40°33.70 N, 6°59.82 E to conduct drills at sea. RHIBs Easy 1 and Easy 2 are launched off starboard side of the ship. Bananas and rafts are deployed for practice exercices.

.

Aquarius goes to three engines, increasing speed to arrive as fast as possible in the Libyan SRR.

Aquarius receives call from Colibri. Colibri requests Aquarius’ position, course and speed.

Aquarius enters the Libyan Search and Rescue Region (SRR), in international waters. Aquarius’ current position is 34°20.4930′ N, 12°09.0280′ E.

On 27^th June 2018, coordinates of the Libyan JRCC were uploaded on the GISIS, thereby legitimizing the coordination of rescues by this JRCC in the Libyan SRR.

From now on, according to the global SAR plan and the SAR Convention, any SAR case is under the responsibility of the Libyan Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC).

The responsibilities of a Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) are:

• To coordinate rescues on a 24-hour basis;
• To provide a place of safety for survivors or ensure that such a place of safety is provided;
• To arrange disembarkation as soon as reasonably practicable.

According to Maritime conventions and resolutions,

• Upon the declaration of a distress phase, a RCC shall initiate “search and rescue operations when the position of the search object is unknown” (SAR Convention, art. 4.5.4).
• As soon as the RCC responsible for a SRR in which assistance is needed is informed about a distress situation, it “should immediately accept responsibility for coordinating the rescue efforts” (MSC.167(78), art 6.7).
• RCCs “should be prepared to act quickly on their own, or have processes in place, as necessary, to involve other authorities, so that timely decisions can be reached with regard to handling of survivors” (MSC.167(78), art 6.4).
• A RCC “should make every effort to minimize the time survivors remain on board the assisting ship” (MSC.167(78), art 6.8).
• A RCC “shall have available up-to-date information especially concerning search and rescue facilities and available communications relevant to search and rescue operations in its area” (SAR Convention, art 4.2.1).

Upon entering the Libyan Search and Rescue Region, Aquarius sends a notice to the Libyan JRCC, informing of the vessel’s readiness to conduct SAR operations. Italian MRCC, Maltese MRCC, Tunisian MRCC and EUNAVFOR Med are also informed. Aquarius additionally provides the vessel’s technical specifications.

“MV AQUARIUS declares readiness for SAR operations in the Central Mediterranean Sea, south of Lampedusa and Malta, outside of Libyan Territorial Waters.

Actual position: 34-13.0N 012-10.6

Proceeding with course 170 speed 10.7 kts towards patrol area ca. 25 NM off Libyan coast between Long. of Zuwarah and Zawiya”

Aquarius halts navigation at position 34°07.11 N, 12°11.93 E. RHIBs Easy 1, Easy 2 and Easy 3 are launched and mass flotation devices are used in a practice rescue operation.

Easy 1, Easy 2 and Easy 3 recovered, Aquarius resumes its voyage towards the patrol area, ca. 30 NM off the Libyan coast.

Colibri calls Aquarius via radio to inform they will be proceeding East of Aquarius’ position for their patrol. Aquarius’ position is 33°29.5820′ N 11°53.4730′ E.

Aquarius is patrolling in international waters north of Abu Kammash at a speed of 4 knots, approximately 24 nautical miles from the coast of Libya. Current position is 33°29.90’ N, 11°51.94’ E.

• Course over ground (COG): 103°
• Wind: 5-10 knots
• Waves: 1 meter
• Sea state: 2

Airplane Colibri calls Aquarius by radio to inform of the end of their patrol. Aquarius’ position is 33°21’6 N, 012°12’9 E.

Aquarius is currently patrolling in international waters, in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region north of Sabratah and heading towards the west. Aquarius’ speed is of 8 knots and its position is 33°15’85 N, 012°25’26 E.

• Course over Ground (COG): 291°
• Wind: 10 knots
• Waves: 0.8 metre
• Sea Scale: 2

Colibri calls Aquarius on VHF channel 16 informing of the end of their patrol

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