Due to the uncertain situation in the Middle East and Africa, record numbers of refugees have attempted to reach Europe and particularly Italy by sea in 2014.In light of this situation, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) has issued advices and provided suggested checklists for operations involving the rescue of persons and refugees in distress at sea – ‘Refugees at Sea – Large Scale SAR Operations’
Several Gard Members and clients have been involved in rescuing refugees in distress at sea in the central and eastern Mediterranean during spring and summer 2014. There is a longstanding tradition at sea that vessels assist in such operations and the SOLAS and UN Refugee Conventions regulate vessels’ legal obligations to assist, the right of the ship to disembark those rescued in a safe port, and restrictions on the return of refugees to unsafe ports. According to the 1982 UNCLOS Convention the Master should always obey the orders issued by local authorities and assist by proceeding “with all possible speed to the rescue of persons in distress …, insofar as such action may reasonably be expected of him”. This is expected as long as the operation does not endanger the ship or its crew.
See attached file:Rescuing refugees at sea.pdf
海上难民救助
由于中东和非洲的不稳定局势，2014年试图从海上逃亡到欧洲，尤其是到意大利的难民人数达到历史最高值。鉴于此，挪威船东协会(NSA)发表建议并提供了一份推荐核查表，供参与海上遇难人员和难民救助行动时使用。— “海上难民 – 大范围搜救行动”
2014年春夏期间，Gard协会的若干会员和客户参与了地中海中部和东部海域遇难难民救助。船舶协助海上救助行动，这是由来已久的传统，《国际海上人命安全公约》和《联合国难民公约》规定，船舶有协助救助的法律义务，船舶有权让获救人员在安全港口登岸，限制将难民送回不安全港口。根据1982年《联合国海洋法公约》，船长应始终遵守地方当局发布的指令，并在行动不使船舶或船员陷入危险的情况下予以协助，“……，在可以合理地期待其采取救助行动时，尽速前往救援”。
详细信息请参阅附件。
