The migrant-vessel Vox Prudence of NGO Doctors Without Border (MSF) was not allowed to approach Lampedusa in an operation on Saturday night and migrants on board were transferred aboard two Coast Guard cutters. The NGO said it will continue to work to save people at sea.
''We are continuing to cooperate with Coast Guards, as we always have. If there is a new modus operandi, we will adapt'', NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stated. MSF has not signed the Italian-drafted code of conduct for NGOs rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean that recently came into effect. According to the NGO, its decision has had an impact on its operations.
''We are not the first to be called for rescue operations as occurred in the past'', said Michele Trainiti, the head of the NGO's search-and-rescue project. ''We know we will be working less but we are always at the disposal of the Coast Guard. We are here and we are ready to cooperate''.
'We will continue to cooperate with coast guard', MSF
''Our position has not changed", Trainiti added. "We are working, as usual, respecting the law. We adapt to the Coast Guard, we do what we are asked to do. This doesn't mean avoiding the code, we don't want to cause controversy. As usual, we are working in the respect of international, maritime and Italian laws''. The official added that the Coast Guard ''gives indications on rescue operations and coordinates operations. We have always cooperated and we will continue to do it. We are at sea to save human lives and we will continue until we are allowed. All we want is to work in peace''.
Speaking about an operation on Saturday night in which 127 migrants aboard its vessel Vos Prudence were transferred aboard two Coast Guard cutters in international waters, Trainiti stressed: ''The operation took place in a calm and regular manner. Such a procedure is not unusual. Perhaps, before the code we could have sailed closer to Lampedusa. But such transfers at sea are not unusual. The Vos Prudence actually has a deep draft so we could not have reached the port''. He also expressed the hope that ''this political moment can be solved to work in peace. The pressure on the work of NGOs - concluded Trainiti - could limit their ability to rescue people, to save human lives''.