Search and Rescue

LANG -

People assisted at sea since 2015

88,113

Source: MSF - Data updated on 05/04/2023 -
The number of people assisted includes those who have been rescued as well as those who have been transferred onto MSF-run vessels after being rescued by other ships.

Interactive map of our Search and Rescue operations

Key operational data regarding our Search and Rescue operations are available on the interactive map. Each operation is geographically positioned on the map by a marker. By selecting the marker, detailed information is provided including: the vessel involved, the date and duration of the rescue operation, the number of people rescued, the port of departure and the port of safety, general observations on the health situation onboard, and the sea route that the ship has followed.

Visit the interactive map

Visualising Search & Rescue

The operational data is shared through graphs highlighting key information including: overall numbers of people rescued and of operations carried out, how the rescue operations are initiated, the involvement of each vessel, and the designated ports of safety we were instructed to disembark at.

Methodological notes

The graph shows how MSF operations start. In the past, in the majority of the cases, it was the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that initiated the operation (including those initiated by Coast Guard ships and military vessels present in the area). More recently, rescue operations are usually initiated when MSF rescue vessels directly spot a boat in distress or when such information is provided by another organisation (ex: Alarm Phone, aerial assets etc.).
The number of people assisted includes those who have been rescued as well as those who have been transferred onto MSF-run vessels after being rescued by other ships.

Methodological notes

The graph shows how MSF operations start. In the past, in the majority of the cases, it was the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) that initiated the operation (including those initiated by Coast Guard ships and military vessels present in the area). More recently, rescue operations are usually initiated when MSF rescue vessels directly spot a boat in distress or when such information is provided by another organization (ex: Alarm Phone, aerial assets etc.).
The number of people assisted includes those who have been rescued as well as those who have been transferred onto MSF-run vessels after being rescued by other ships.

Methodological notes

Since the beginning of its operations in 2015, MSF has employed eight vessels that have been active (link to MSF vessels at sea). The graph shows the contribution of each vessel to the Search and Rescue activities.
The number of people assisted includes those who have been rescued as well as those who have been transferred onto MSF-run vessels after being rescued by other ships.

Methodological notes

The graph highlights all the ports (places of safety) where MSF vessels have disembarked survivors. The ports are displayed from the busiest to less active and the measurement shows number of people disembarked as well as number of disembarkations. The place of safety is identified by the MRCC and communicated to MSF vessels.

Methodological notes

The table provides other salient operational data. Operations include rescues and transfers onto MSF-run vessels after being rescued by other ships MSF vessels. A rotation starts when an MSF vessel leaves to sea from a port and ends with the disembarkation in the same or another port. Within the same journey one or more operations can take place. Medical evacuations take place during the journey while the MSF vessel is at sea. They are organised for patients in need of urgent care, not available on the ship, through the coordination and support of the relevant authorities. Dead bodies are collected while at sea and transported to the port where they are handed over to the relevant authorities.

Average duration of rescue operation:

Average length of rotation:

Number of rescues carried out:

Number of disembarkations carried out:

Number of medical evacuations:

Number of dead bodies:

Defending humanity at sea

The assumption that the presence of NGO-led rescue vessels in the Central Mediterranean creates a pull-factor and encourages more refugees and migrants to attempt the risky sea journey is used as an argument to reduce rescue capacities. In light of this, MSF carried out an analysis of the available data on attempted sea crossings including numbers of arrivals, numbers of deaths and number of people missing (presumed drowned) in the Central Mediterranean.

The findings show that the accusations levelled against the humanitarian vessels are not substantiated by evidence. Importantly, the involvement of humanitarian vessels was associated with a significant improvement in maritime safety compared to other periods. Without these boats, the counts of dead and missing at sea would likely have been considerably higher. The proactive search and rescue by humanitarian vessels have thus played a crucial and lifesaving role. Find out more about the main findings of the research by reading the full report and the policy brief by ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies).

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