REFUGEES are threatening to jump overboard from an NGO rescue ship that has been waiting for Italy and Malta to respond to its persistent requests for a port of safety.

Since last Thursday the Ocean Viking’s crew has rescued 180 people in four operations within the Maltese and Italian search and rescue region.

Frederic Penard director of operations for SOS Mediterranee, the charity with operates the Ocean Viking, warned today that the ship has been left in limbo.