ICS has criticised moves at the EU to decrease Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in international waters, stressing that they are both an “obligation under maritime law” and a “humanitarian duty”.

In a statement to the press, ICS referred to comments by EU ministers that SAR operations “have acted as a ‘pull factor’ for illegal migration, encouraging people to make dangerous crossings in the expectation of rescue”.

Chief among ICS’ concerns is EU operation Triton, a stripped-down version of the Italian Mare Nostrum operation in place at present, with only a third of the budget. “The shipping industry is therefore very concerned… that its primary focus will be border control, and that SAR operations may be reduced in international waters,” the statement said.

ICS indicated that without a corresponding obligation from IMO member states to aid SAR operations, care of any survivors picked up by vessels under their Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) commitments would become sole responsibility of the ship’s master. “ICS notes that merchant ships are legally required to rescue persons in distress at sea by the UN International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), to which virtually every maritime nation is a Party.

“It will clearly be much more difficult for merchant ships to save lives at sea without the adequate provision of SAR services by EU Member States. Moreover, whenever a ship performs its legal and humanitarian obligations, it will continue to be incumbent on EU Member States to ensure that those who are rescued can be readily disembarked at the next port of call, even when they may lack documentation.”