Panama revokes maritime flag of rescue ship MV Aquarius

The Panama Maritime Authority has revoked the registration of search and rescue ship Aquarius 2 in a move that means there will be no charity rescue ships off the Libyan coast in the near future unless the vessel can find a new flag to sail under.

Reuters reports that Aquarius 2, the one remaining charity rescue vessel still operating in the Central Mediterranean area.

Earlier, MSF Sea tweeted “In what was a long & complicated search & rescue, and after negotiations with the Libyan coastguard, the Aquarius this morning has safely brought onboard 47 people – including 17 minors & one pregnant woman – from a wooden boat in distress in international waters.”

The decision by the Panama Authority (PMA) means once the ship comes into port it will be deflagged and will not be allowed to operate again unless it can find a new flag.

SOS Mediterranee, one of the charities that operates the Aquarius, said in a statement it was reeling from news of the revocation which it said followed pressure from the Italian government. The Italian goverment denied.