1 August: Marseille

After a month in dock, the Aquarius sets sail on 1 August. Since June, humanitarian ships such as this have been prevented from operating in the rescue zone off the Libyan coast. According to the International Organisation for Migration, 721 people drowned in the central Mediterranean sea between the start of June and the end of July.

2–10 August: sailing to the Libyan coast

During the first week onboard, staff are trained to use devices and rescue techniques, such as resuscitation, and how to tend to the wounded.



The ship’s crew includes 10 MSF and 15 SOS Méditerranée staff and four journalists. It can host up to 600 people and has enough food to last a few weeks.

The Aquarius carries two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (Rhibs), which can be launched into the sea to rescue those in trouble.



On 9 August, the vessel begins an “expanding square search” pattern, a technique often employed during search and rescue patrols.

10 August: close to the Libyan coast

More than 100 refugees and migrants are rescued on 10 August.



At 10.28am the Aquarius starts a rescue operation. A small wooden boat appears to be in distress. The crew collect the survivors and transfer them to the Aquarius for medical assistance and registration.

By 11.48am the rescue is completed, with 25 survivors now safely onboard.

At 12.25pm Aquarius informs all ships in the area by VHF (very high frequency) broadcast that the rescue operation has been completed.

At 1.57pm visual contact is made with another boat possibly in distress.

At 2.52pm the two Rhibs are dispatched, reaching the wooden boat, which carries 116 men, women and children, including 67 unaccompanied minors.

By 3.48pm the rescue is completed and all survivors are safely onboard the Aquarius.

Position of the rescued wooden vessel: 33°30.7′ N, 011°48.5′ E

11 August

Search and rescue (SAR) operations north of Zuwarah, a port city in northern Libya.

Teams on the Aquarius distribute food to the 141 people rescued the day before. Medical teams treat skin infections and check for signs of malnutrition. Psychological support is also offered.

When those rescued arrive onboard, they are given coloured bracelets specifying their age, nationality, and any health issues.

At 9.24pm the Aquarius requests the assistance of Italian and Maltese officials to find a safe locationfor the migrants.

At 9.45pm the Maltese rescue coordination centre (RCC) informs the Aquarius that it will not coordinate for a place a safety. The RCC says it is not the appropriate and competent authority to designate or make the necessary arrangements for a place of safety.

Staff from MSF and SOS Méditerranée onboard the Aquarius



The mood on the boat is upbeat. Those rescued receive food, are able to wash, and find a sense of normality. Children laugh, play musical instruments, sing and dance.

12 August

SOS Méditerranée and MSF issue a press release calling on European governments to assign a place of safety after the rescues.

At 11.11am the Libyan joint rescue coordination centre JRCC instructs the Aquarius to proceed to the rescue of 10 people onboard a boat in distress.

At 5.17pm the Aquarius confirms to the Maltese RCC it will only engage in the rescue if there is a risk of loss of life.

At 5.39pm Aquarius requests authorisation from the Maltese RCC to assess the situation of the people on the boat and give out lifejackets if necessary.

A Rhib is dispatched and by 6.11pm it is next to the boat, discovering 11 people onboard – nine men and two children. All are in good condition.

At 6.30pm the Aquarius informs the Maltese RCC of the situation of the people onboard and that they would like to continue their way north.

In an email, the Aquarius crew writes: “The situation onboard is stable. The people onboard have said that they have been at sea for two days. There are two children onboard suffering from exposure. We are giving them some food and water. They have informed us that they would like to continue on their way north.

“Aquarius will have the two Rhibs in the water in case of difficulty and continue to monitor the situation and inform this RCC. We will not interfere with their passage. If you wish for us to indicate the best course, please let me know. Until then we will standby for instructions from you.”