Italy's regulations on charities keep migrant rescue ships from the Mediterranean
The Ocean Viking has been impounded, as Italy targets charity groups that operate vessels in the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress.
BARI, Italy — The year has gotten off to a slow start for a rescue ship that typically plies the Mediterranean Sea looking for migrants and refugees in distress. The Ocean Viking has been impounded, its crew accused of having deviated from a designated course, as Italy targets charity groups that operate such vessels.
It was the second time in as many months that Italian authorities detained the 69-meter (225-foot) ship, operated by the European group SOS Mediterranee, while enforcing a year-old Italian government decree that regulates maritime rescue charities.
The hard-right-led
