Médécins sans frontières (MSF) and SOS Méditerranée resumed the rescue missions of migrants at sea eight months after the end of their activities in December 2018. Gibraltar and Panama had withdrawn their flag at Aquarius, the former ship following pressure from the Italian government. It is the Ocean Viking, the humanitarian ship again affronted by the two NGOs, which took over. Leaving Marseilles on Sunday, August 4, the new Norwegian-flagged ship rescued 170 people of different nationalities, including a child under one year old, on her first two outings in the mornings of Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. Sunday, August 11, a third rescue of 81 people took place. Frédéric Penard, Director of Operations at SOS Mediterannée France, talks about the rescue mission for this new boat.

France 24: How were the first two operations that took place this weekend ?

Frédéric Penard: These are operations that took place more than 100 km from the Libyan coast. We were alerted by a European plane that spotted the first boat. The scenario was the same during the second rescue. the Ocean Viking was able to get closer to an area and locate the two rubber boats. People were drifting for more than 48 hours in the middle of the central Mediterranean Sea in international waters.

From which origins are the migrants on board?

Of the 170 people rescued, we have people from West and East Africa. There are many Sudanese. There are also many minors, some of whom are unaccompanied. We have a child under one year old. There is no medical emergency as such. These people are medically and humanely cared for aboard the ship.

The Ocean Viking took over Aquarius, which stopped operating in December 2018. This new boat is flying the Norwegian flag. How was this choice made ?

You do not choose your flag. We tried to look for the ship first. For financial reasons, capacity reasons, it is the Ocean Viking that caught our attention. And in all the criteria, there was obviously that of the pavilion.

The Aquarius was forced to stop its rescue missions at sea after withdrawing the flag of Gibraltar, then Panama. How will this be different with Norway for Ocean Viking ?

Flag withdrawals or threats of flag removal in the past for the Aquarius were made as a result of diplomatic pressure. It is thought that Norway will not be swayed by this kind of pressure. It is also a country with a long maritime tradition. Norway, like many countries, is very respectful of maritime conventions. It attaches importance to the rights and the legality of things. We do not have any concerns in that sense.

How will the landing of migrants rescued at sea happen?

We will seek the assistance of the maritime authorities as we have always done. It is hoped that European states will take things seriously and find a quick solution to effectively designate a port of landing as quickly as possible. A ship is not a place to handle complicated situations. It is an emergency solution to be aboard a lifeboat. The European Union must organize itself to provide a landing solution as soon as possible as stipulated in maritime conventions. This is the challenge.