Italy Detains German Rescue Vessel For 60 Days, Imposes €10,000 Fine On Operator

Italian authorities have detained the German-operated rescue vessel Humanity 1 for 60 days in the port of Trapani, Sicily, and imposed a €10,000 fine on its operator, SOS Humanity.

The detention followed the ship’s latest mission in the Central Mediterranean, during which it rescued 33 people in distress and recovered two bodies.

The government said the crew had failed to comply with regulations at sea by not communicating with the Libyan maritime rescue coordination centre during the operation.

The order was issued on 13 February, shortly after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration introduced a draft bill that would allow authorities to block NGO rescue ships from entering Italian territorial waters for up to six months if security risks are identified.

SOS Humanity stated that its crew had informed all competent rescue coordination centres in accordance with international maritime law.

The organisation said it had deliberately not contacted Libyan actors, arguing that they could not be considered legitimate search and rescue authorities and alleging serious human rights violations against people seeking protection.

Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi criticised what he described as irresponsible behaviour that endangered migrants’ lives.

According to SOS Humanity, the detention marks the second time its vessel has been held within three months and the third detention involving ships from the “Justice Fleet” alliance over the same period.

The group also reported that another rescue vessel, Sea-Watch 5, had been detained earlier, meaning two of the largest NGO-operated rescue ships in the Mediterranean are currently unable to conduct operations.

The organisation further criticised European support for Libyan actors at sea, alleging violence against people seeking protection and rescue crews.

It referred to an incident in August 2025 when the so-called Libyan Coast Guard fired at a non-governmental rescue ship.

The new draft legislation presented by Meloni’s government would introduce what it describes as a “sea blockade”, enabling authorities to prevent NGO vessels from entering Italian waters for up to six months under certain security conditions.

SOS Humanity said the measure would further obstruct humanitarian search and rescue activities in the Mediterranean and undermine international law.

Meanwhile, data from the International Organisation for Migration shows that 484 migrants have been reported dead or missing in the Central Mediterranean in 2026 following multiple shipwrecks during periods of extreme weather.

The organisation noted that hundreds more deaths are believed to have gone unrecorded. Each year, tens of thousands of people attempt to reach Italy by boat, many departing from Libya.

Reference: SOS Humanity

Source: Maritime Shipping News