The German ship WEILHEIM provides assistance to a Tunisian Fishing Vessel in distress
A distress call, a Tunisian fishing vessel with engine problems and a German ship operating under EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophiamandate.
These are the elements of the events occurred yesterday when the German minehunter FGS WEILHEIM sailing 60 Nautical Miles north of the Libyan city of Sabratah spotted people waving and screaming for help on board an adrift fishing vessel.
In few time, thanks to the support of the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, informed through the EUNAVFOR MED Force Headquarters afloat, an agreement with Tunisian Authorities set the ground to start towing the fishing vessel. After more than 12 hours the WEILHEIM completed the towing operation reaching a previously agreed rendez vous point in which a Tunisian Coast Guard vessel took over the responsibility to tow the fishing vessel toward a Tunisian port.
Launched last June the 22nd, Operation Sophia, being part of a wider EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, tackling both current symptoms and root causes such as conflict, poverty, climate change and persecution, moved to its second phase in high seas last October the 7th.
