'It’s an honour to save lives', Mission Lifeline founder tells court

The ships captain stands accused of navigating into Maltese waters without the necessary license and registration • A decision by the courts is expected on 14 May

Migrants being helped down from the MV Lifeline after the vessel moored in Senglea last July
Migrants being helped down from the MV Lifeline after the vessel moored in Senglea last July

Axel Steier, the founder of the NGO Mission Lifeline, insisted in court on Tuesday that it was an honour for him to save lives, as he testified in defence of migrant rescue ship captain Claus Peter Reisch.

The Munich-born captain is currently facing charges of navigating the ship within Maltese territorial waters without the necessary licence and registration. The vessel was involved in a diplomatic dispute last summer when it disobeyed orders to return a group of rescued migrants to the Libyan coastguard, choosing instead to travel north.

In court today, Steier explained in great detail how the MV Lifeline had been bought from the NGO Sea-Watch in 2017, and how it complied with the formalities of ownership, radio and licencing requirements.

During his cross-examination, Steier was asked about how the vessel came to be registered as a pleasure craft. He replied that this was correct, as their work took place during their free time and without any commercial activity. He explained that it was an honour for them to save the lives of drowning people.

Steier told the court how the vessel had been bought already registered to a flag state and explained how the transfer of ownership was made after the NGO bought it.

He exhibited the ship’s new registration certificate, which was issued after Reisch’s arraignment. This certificate, which had been issued by the Dutch authorities did not indicate the flag state of the MV Lifeline.

The case was put off for a final decision on 14 May.

Inspectors Mario Haber and Daryl Borg prosecuted. Lawyers Cedric Mifsud, Neil Falzon and Gianluca Cappitta were defence counsel.