The Maltese Government has chartered the fourth passenger boat JADE from Supreme Cruises to hold further 75 illegal immigrants rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta on Wednesday night.
Due that numbers might increase the Government had asked for a vessel that could accommodate up to 250 people which is a sign that busy season is here due that good weather conditions tends to encourage people to leave Libya for Europe. Since Captain Morgan available vessels were taken, another operator was commissioned to supply the boat.
In the afternoon the 2010 built 37 metre passenger ship JADE moored at Sliema Creek, supplies and stores were loaded and she left Marsamxett Harbour after 1730 hrs.
JADE underway to OPL Malta at 1845 hrs.
On Wednesday night, a group of 75 male illegal immigrants were rescued by the AFM and were temporarily transferred to a Captain Morgan vessel until the arrival of the new boat. Alarm on the boatload of illegal immigrants was first raised by NGO Alarm Phone, an emergency hotline, which said on Wednesday it had received a distress call from a boat with approximately 80 people who had left Libya for Europe. They told Alarm Phone that they were within Malta’s search and rescue area.
JADE approaching outside territorial waters at 1935 hrs.
At 1955 hrs JADE anchored and transfer of souls was to follow by the Armed Forces of Malta.
Watermarked Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Thursday 28th May, 2020
