Commenting on reports that some EU ministers have expressed concerns that search and rescue operations have acted as a "pull factor" for illegal migration, encouraging people to make dangerous crossings in the expectation of rescue, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has noted that merchant ships are legally required to rescue persons in distress at sea by the IMO's SOLAS convention, to which virtually every maritime nation is a party.
"The rescue of all persons in distress at sea – including illegal migrants – is an obligation under international maritime law, as well as being a long established humanitarian duty," said the ICS.
"Whatever policy makers in EU Member States may decide, the legal and humanitarian obligation of merchant ships to provide assistance to anyone in distress at sea will remain unchanged."
Under SOLAS and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, the obligation of the ship Master to render assistance is complemented by a corresponding obligation of IMO member states to co-operate in rescue situations, thereby relieving the Master of the responsibility to care for survivors, and allowing individuals who are rescued at sea in such circumstances to be delivered promptly to a place of safety.
The ICS also expressed concern at reports that the new EU Frontex operation 'Triton' will have a third of the budget of the operation it replaces, and that its primary focus will be border control with search and rescue operations possibly reduced in international waters.
"It will clearly be much more difficult for merchant ships to save lives at sea without the adequate provision of search and rescue services by EU Member States," continued the ICS.
"Moreover, whenever a ship performs its legal and humanitarian obligations, it will continue to be incumbent on EU Member States to ensure that rescued survivors can be readily disembarked at the next port of call, even when they may lack documentation."
ICS is the global trade association for commercial ship operators, whose ships are currently involved on a daily basis in the rescue of refugees at sea in the Mediterranean.
