PARIS, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Aquarius rescue ship had asked French authorities to let it dock at its port in the southern city of Marseille after its registration was revoked, making it impossible to sail again, Frederic Penard, director of SOS Mediterranee said on Monday.

"The only possible destination today is Marseille... French authorities are informed. It's urgent to shelter people on board," Penard was quoted as saying by local media.

"This is the only option we have to allow the Aquarius to continue its mission," he added.

Aquarius, jointly operated by Franco-German founded organization the SOS Mediterranee and French charity Doctors Without Borders, is currently at sea with 58 migrants on board, including 17 women and 18 minors.

On Saturday, the Panama Maritime Authority announced it had revoked the registration of Aquarius.

This decision meant that the rescue vessel has to find a new flag to continue rescue operation off the Libyan coasts.