The 'Sea-Watch 3' has been detained by the authorities in Valletta
The 'Sea-Watch 3' has been detained by the authorities in Valletta. The ship was berthed at the Coal Wharf and may, just like the rescue ship 'Lifeline', not leave the port. Captain Pia Klemp told there was no jurisdicial reason to detain the ship which had the full right to fly the Dutch flag and expressed the expectation the ship would be released soon to continue its rescue mission. Only on July 2 the UNHCR reported 63 missing migrants, after about 100 drowned on June 29, among them toddlers and children. Actually no rescue ships were operating in the sea area off Libya. On July 2 a court in Valletta decided that the captain of the 'Lifeline', Claus-Peter Reisch, had to be released after paying a safety deposit of 10.000 Euros. But he may not leave the island. The authorities had claimed the 'Lifeline' was not registiered as required and did not obey the orders of Italian authorities to have the rescue work carried out by the Libyna Coastguard.