Search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean and fundamental rights - June 2025 update

Contents Introduction 1. International and EU legal frameworks on search and rescue at sea 2. Non-governmental organisation ships and aircraft involved in search and rescue operations 3. Measures against civil-society actors involved in search and rescue operations Conclusion Annex: Legal proceedings by EU Member States against civil-society actors involved in search and rescue (SAR) operations in the Mediterranean Sea (Update June 2025) Italy Ship ‘Geo Barents’, operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – no longer operational Ship ‘Open Arms’, operated by ProActiva Open Arms – operational Ship ‘Ocean Viking’, operated by SOS Mediterranée – operational Ship ‘Aita Mari’, operated by Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario – operational (at shipyard) Ship ‘Astral’, operated by ProActiva Open Arms – operational Ship ‘Louise Michel’, operated by M.V. Louise Michel – operational Ship ‘Mare Jonio’, operated by Mediterranea Saving Humans – under maintenance Ship ‘Mediterranea’ – operated by Mediterranea Saving Humans – operational (formerly ‘Sea-Eye 4’, operated by Sea-Eye) Ship ‘Aurora’, operated by Sea Watch – operational Ship ‘Sea-Watch 5’, operated by Sea-Watch – operational Reconnaissance aircraft ‘Seabird 1’ and ‘Seabird 2’, operated by Sea-Watch – operational Ship ‘Sea-Watch 4’, operated by Sea-Watch in collaboration with MSF – not operational Ship ‘Sea-Watch 3’, operated by Sea-Watch – not operational Ship ‘Humanity 1’, operated by SOS Humanity – operational Ship...