(24 Sep 2018) Humanitarian groups operating the sole private rescue boat near the deadly central Mediterranean human trafficking route have asked French authorities to allow 58 refugees to disembark in the southern port of Marseille.
Medecins Sans Frontieres and SOS Mediterranee are also urging European countries to intervene in order to secure the boat's future after Panama yanked the ship's registration.
Panama's maritime authority said it has begun procedures to remove the registration of Aquarius 2 after Italy complained the boat's captain failed to follow orders to return rescued migrants to Libya.
The charities described Panama's move as shameful.
Francis Vallat, the head of SOS Mediterranee France, asked European countries on Monday to "find a solution, whichever it is."
Vallat said that the Aquarius 2 rescued 58 refugees last week in two separate operations, including 17 women and 18 minors.
Vallat added that the refugees come from Libya, Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Syria, Sudan, Algeria and Palestinian territories.
According to Vallat, SOS Mediterranee and Medecins Sans Frontieres' refusal to return migrants to Libya was in compliance with maritime law because Libya doesn't meet international standards for safe harbour.
Malta and Italy refused to let the boat dock on their shores, and the charities made a formal request to France to welcome the ship in Marseille.
Last month the boat spent days in Marseille after Gibraltar maritime authorities took Aquarius 2 off its registry.
The boat resumed its operation after acquiring a Panama flag.
SOS Mediterranee said it has asked Panama to backtrack on its decision while urging the "international maritime community" to find another flag for the boat if needed.
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