(ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - The Netherlands asked Italy Wednesday to keep the Sea Watch NGO migrant rescue ship in the port of Catania where it has been since offloading 47 migrants after a standoff with the EU on January 31.
The request came after an inspection on board the German NGO-run, Dutch-flagged ship on February 11-12.
The request was made to the Italian Coast Guard "pending the conclusion of Dutch authorities' further investigation into the compliance of the ship with norms in force, with reference to the suitability to transport a high number of people for long periods of time".
Sea Watch shd stay in Catania - Netherlands to Italy
Probe ongoing into compliance with norms