While the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic Disease is still around worldwide both Italy and Malta decided to close ports due to public health reasons amid the COVID-19.
With the ports closed and with barely any assistance offered by EU member states, Malta has decided to house illegal immigrants rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) aboard Captain Morgan Short Sea Ferry Boats anchored at OPL Malta.
On Thursday 30th April, the Maltese Government arranged for the transfer of 57 people rescued the day before by the Tobruk homeported fishing vessel DAR EL SALAM 1 to the 1987 built short sea ferry boat EUROPA II owned by Captain Morgan Cruises Ltd. On Thursday 7th May, an AFM patrol craft rescued 45 souls and coordinated the rescue, by a fishing boat, of 78 souls.
DAR AL SALAM 1 berthed at her place.
Archives images of EUROPA II
Whilst all 18 women and children were reportedly taken ashore, the other 105 illegal immigrants were transferred the same day to the 1999 built BAHARI.
Archives images of BAHARI
On Friday 15th May more illegal immigrants were transferred to the 2001 built ATLANTIS owned also by Captain Morgan Cruises Ltd.
Archives images of ATLANTIS
So far, only two counties from 27 EU member states have offered Malta help with relocation – France has offered to relocate 30 of them while Portugal has offered to take six.
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 – Tuesday 26th May, 2020
