The scenario off the Libyan coast is constantly evolving and could soon be even more critical than 2014. Hundreds of thousands of desperate people would like to reach Europe from its main southern gateway, Sicily, and last February's episode could be the signal of a different strategy on the part of smugglers.
Rescue interventions will become increasingly delicate and the conclusion of the Mare Nostrum operation has put the activities of the men and women who intervene daily at greater risk, since the Triton operation involves a smaller number of vehicles at sea, despite the very large professionalism of the men and women of the Coast Guard and the excellence of the offshore patrol boats used for this purpose.
As CoCeR Marina delegate, I believe it is essential that the safety of those who intervene is guaranteed first of all, even before those who need to be rescued, as foreseen by the Montego-bay convention.
I do not allow myself to indicate operational solutions, it is not my job nor could I do it having other professionalism, but I refer to the provisions of the aforementioned UN Convention on the Rights of the Sea, which provides that any rescue must take place without jeopardizing the life and means of those who carry it out.
During the meeting it became clear from the words of the defendants that the success of the activities carried out during the Mare Nostrum operation was obtained thanks to the greater use of resources and to a close cooperation at sea between means of the Navy, the Port Authority and the Guardia di Finanza.
I am sure that the heartfelt and professional words of the colleague of the Coast Guard who intervened, who rescued thousands of human lives in the Strait of Sicily, in all weather conditions, have hit the mark in the heads and hearts of the parliamentarians and will bring their greatest dowry. attention also on all aspects: from the financial one (training, indemnity, maintenance, recruitment) to the rules of engagement, in order to avoid repeating situations that no one could ever have foreseen, such as that of Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre.
CF Antonio Colombo
CoCeR Marina delegate
