AN NGO refugee rescue ship was released from its five-month detention in Italy today.

Following an inspection by the Italian coastguard, the Ocean Viking rescue ship was finally given permission to leave Sicily, where it had been held since July 22 following the disembarkation of 181 rescued refugees.

“Today marks the end of a lengthy, costly and difficult race against time,” said Frederic Penard, director of operations for SOS Mediterranee, the European charity that owns and operates the Ocean Viking.