The rescue ship of the German aid organization Sea-Eye fixed in Malta may expire after months of wrangling. The ship "sea fox" got permission from the Maltese Port Authority to be transferred to Germany, said the spokesman of the Regensburg organization, Gorden Isler, on Friday. At first, Time Online reported it.
The ship will not be used for rescue operations and will get another owner, says Isler. Which, is still unclear. However, Sea-Eye will soon be returning to the Mediterranean with two new ships to rescue migrants.
The "sea fox" had been stopped after a dispute with Malta about the registration. Meanwhile, the ship has a German flag.
Preparation for new missions
In Germany, the "Sea Eye 2" is currently being prepared for deployment, and will then return from Spain to the central Mediterranean in December and sail under the German flag, said Isler. From Spain also the second ship of the NGO, the "Bavaria One", is to be extended. However, she should go on an observation mission.
The populist government in Italy has repeatedly blocked private aid rescue vehicles several times and forbids them to enter Italian ports. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini always insisted that the flag state of the ship should take in the migrants - not Italy. Since the blockade hardly more migrants arrive in Italy.
However, meanwhile, the German aid organization Sea-Watch is again on its way in the Mediterranean towards the North African coast. After having been prevented by the Maltese authorities from leaving the ship for more than three months for alleged reservations about their proper registration in the shipping register, the Sea-Watch 3 first sailed to a Spanish shipyard and then to Corsica.