Panama revokes registration of last migrant rescue ship in central Mediterranean

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 / 2:03 PM / UPDATED 18 MINUTES AGO

Panama revokes registration of last migrant rescue ship in central Mediterranean

MILAN (Reuters) - The Panama Maritime Authority has revoked the registration of search and rescue ship Aquarius 2 in a move that means there will be no charity rescue ships off the Libyan coast in the near future unless the vessel can find a new flag to sail under.

Aquarius 2, the one remaining charity rescue vessel still operating in the Central Mediterranean area, is currently at sea with 58 survivors on board.

The decision by the Panama Authority (PMA) means that once the ship comes into port it will be deflagged and will not be allowed to operate again unless it can find a new flag.

SOS Mediterranee, one of the charities that operates the Aquarius, said in a statement it was reeling from news of the revocation, which it said followed pressure from the Italian government.

“On Saturday ... the Aquarius team was shocked to learn of an official communication from the Panamanian authorities stating that the Italian authorities had urged the PMA to take ‘immediate action’ against the Aquarius,” it said.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-migration-aquarius-panama/panama-revokes-registration-of-last-migrant-rescue-ship-in-central-mediterranean-idUSKCN1M30S9

[Pachamama]

1. Very sad....