Skuld: Emergency response advice for migrants

Over 13,500 people were rescued in the period of 10 – 17 April 2015

The Skuld P&I Club has posted an article on its website to provide an update on the refugee and migrant crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the UN High Commission for Refugees, over 13,500 people were rescued in the period of 10 April to 17 April 2015, and 900 are feared to have perished this.

The Club reminds masters to be fully aware of their obligations under international convention and local laws to assist distressed persons at sea. A failure to render assistance may create legal, including criminal, liabilities.

If a vessel comes across distressed persons at sea, then it is an obligation with the force of law that assistance must be rendered (subject to the safety of the crew and vessel rendering the assistance).

There are many considerations to keep in mind when this situation arises, and masters should take the following steps amongst the other necessary measures to respond to the situation in a safe and responsible manner:

1. identify the likely number of vessels and people being encountered
2. urgently contact the nearest responsible maritime authority / coast guard of the situation
3. assess how assistance can be safely rendered
4. provide such assistance and rescue as can be safely provided
5. call for additional help and support as may be required
6. identify if any rescued persons are in need of urgent medical attention
7. keep in constant contact with the maritime authority / coast guard responding to the incident
8. inform concerned parties, including managers, charterers, as well as the club of the situation soonest
9. keep a very careful photographic, video and written record of the entire event
10. contact the Skuld correspondent in the country / port to which rescued persons are to be taken

Should a vessel encounter a situation that it cannot respond to, at least not without further assistance, or should an emergency arise, then the master should prioritise the safety of human life and make an urgent call for further help as he considers necessary.

If a vessel is contacted by a maritime authority or a coast guard to come to a SAR operation, then it should follow the instructions and adopt the above as appropriate in the light of developing circumstances.

Source:The Skuld P&I Club