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:identify the likely number of vessels and people being encounteredurgently contact the nearest responsible maritime authority / coast guard of the situationassess how assistance can be safely renderedprovide such assistance ...
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