On Saturday 4th May, 2019 a 14.25 m long Sicilian longliner ZAIRA with 4 crew members aboard foundered off Marsascala. The accident was reported around 0410 hrs , sparking an immediate response from the Rescue Services including Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and the Civil Protection Department (CPD).
A 29 year old Moroccan citizen has died and another two crew members a 35 year old and a 29 year old managed to swim to shore although injured and were brought up to safety by the CPD personnel of which were later hospitalised to an awaiting ambulance.
Meanwhile AFM scrambled the SAR Boat MELITA 1 together with an AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopter AS 1428 to complete the SAR area as there was reported a missing person of which the Italian media La Repubblica reported that the missing person is Luciano Sapienza, the owner of the vessel and the father of one of the crew members
ZAIRA was built in 1990 in Agrigento, Licata with wooden hull with main gear type as LLS – Set Longlines and secondary gear type as GNS – Set Gillnets (anchored). She entered service in 1991 with Port Code as 00263 – Siracusa and registration number was SR 2437.
Her call sign was IRQJ ; no VMS indicator ; 14.25 m long ; 11.44 length between perpendiculars and 18 tons GRT.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
