Yesterday, on board the Mare Jonio, the only civil rescue ship flying the Italian flag, three scheduled inspections were carried out to renew the certifications of the Mediterranea Saving Humans ship. A fourth inspection classified as "occasional" has been carried out in addition: an extraordinary inspection, neither due nor justified, conducted by the General Command of the Port Authorities on the orders of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, reporting to Minister Matteo Salvini. After 10 and a half hours of inspection, we were ordered to "immediately disembark all equipment related to rescue activities on deck, under penalty of forfeiture of the certificate of suitability", that is, we were ordered to disembark the rescue dinghies, infirmary, containers, chemical toilets and showers intended for the assistance of people rescued at sea. At the same time the ship is not authorized to set sail and, if we do not obey the order to disembark the rescue equipment, the certificate necessary to navigate will be permanently withdrawn.

To the full press release: link