Sea-Eye wins third case against Italy this year

The Court of Vibo Valentia confirms obligation to rescue at sea – and reaffirms that following the instructions of the so-called Libyan Coastguard is not compatible with international law.

The Regensburg-based sea rescue organisation Sea-Eye e.V. has achieved a major legal success: The Court of Vibo Valentia has ruled that the crew of the SEA-EYE 4 fully complied with their duty to rescue at sea during an operation in the Mediterranean last year. The case concerned a 20-day detention order imposed on the vessel in October 2023.

The judge made it clear that the rescue operation carried out by Sea-Eye had never posed a threat to the safety of the people involved. She also stressed that following the instructions of the so-called Libyan Coastguard would not be compatible with international law.

“Once again, the Italian courts have ruled against Italian policy and administrative practice. This ruling is an overall success because the judge did not focus on procedural issues, but emphasised the duty to rescue at sea and made it clear that no one should drown in the Mediterranean,” said Gorden Isler, Chairman of Sea-Eye.

The SEA-EYE 4 was detained by the Italian authorities on the 30th of October 2023 after the crew refused to obey the orders of the so-called Libyan Coastguard. Around 50 people were rescued during the operation on the 27th of October 2023. The crew members of SEA-EYE 4 documented the ruthless and brutal methods of the so-called Libyan Coastguard and were ordered to leave the area under threat of violence. During several dangerous manoeuvres by the Libyan-flagged ships, four of the people seeking protection on the inflatable boat could only be recovered dead.