M/V TORM LOTTE, a product tanker owned by Danish shipowner TORM A/S, has assisted Italian and Maltese authorities in a rescue operation to save a large group of boat refugees in the Mediterranean Sea, the company said in its press release.
TORM Lotte, sailing under DIS flag, was bound for LA SKHIRA when th e vessel on 18 July at 1245hrs CET received an urgent distress call from the Italian coast guard requesting assistan ce to a ship carrying refugees. After receiving the call, the vessel proceeded immediately for the rescue operation to render assistance for protection of human life acting in line wi th international maritime agreeme nts and conventions. At 1700hrs, TORM Lotte gained visual contact with the refugee ship and proceeded closer to observe the situation.
At 1930hrs, TORM Lotte launched its Man Overboard Boat (MOB) in order to rescue the refugees who jumped in to the water. During the rescue operation, TORM Lotte rescued up to 300 refugees. TORM Lotte received assistance from the Italian coast guard and the Maltese Navy during the operation. Maltese authorities are currently working on providing food, water and blankets for the r escued individuals while Italian authorities are working to secure safe disembarkation of the refugees. I am pleased that the Master and crew on board TORM Lotte acted professionally and hereby saved up to 300 lives, reflecting outstanding commitment to the rules of life at sea ," says Tina Revsbech, Senior Vice President of TORM's Tanker Division.
