(The video above shows footage taken by one of the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter drones during Monday's test flight.)

Unmanned aerial drones operated by MOAS – the Migrant Offshore Aid Station – yesterday located an empty dinghy drifting on the currents close to Lampedusa. It is not yet clear if its occupants were rescued or had perished beneath the surface on the perilious journey to Europe.

MOAS is the first privately funded migrant rescue mission. Its aim is to prevent loss of life at sea by providing aid to migrants crossing the Mediterranean in unsafe boats.

The empty dinghy spotted on Tuesday by MOAS drones.

Founders Chris and Regina Catrambone have contributed millions out of their own pocket to buy a 40-metre ship – the Phoenix 1 – with the aim of providing assistance at sea. The vessel has been armed with two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and two unmanned aerial drones, which are being leased from Austrian firm Schiebel. The vessel is manned by a seasoned and professional crew, which includes paramedics.

The drones were succesfully tested on Monday and conducted their first operational mission on Tuesday. The surveillance mission was conducted some 30 miles South East of Lampedusa. The Phoenix has now changed course and is steaming southwards, in the direction of Libya.

The drones were successfully tested on Monday.

The day of the official launch also saw the first rescue conducted by MOAS, although on that occasion it was not a group of migrants that needed saving. The Phoenix spotted a small fishing boat drifting on the sea with its engines stopped. A fisherman and his five year old son were brought on board the vessel and the fishing boat was tied alongside until help arrived from Malta.