Casualties – 4 Fishermen rescued after their fishing boat MFA 1564 SANT ANNA capsized and sunk – 30.06.2024
On Sunday 30th June, 2024 around 0300 hrs the Maltese fishing support vessel SAN PIETRO called Marsaxlokk VTS stating that she was proceeding around 20 nautical miles to assist another fishing boat in distress. Malta’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) was informed and immediately deployed a MELITA SAR rescue Launch & Helicopter from the Armed Forces […]
Casualties – Rescue Operations from capsized tanker PRESTIGE FALCON off Oman – 17.07.2024
Omani authorities say nine members of 16 crew comprising of 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans have been rescued, after going missing when their tanker capsized off the coast of Oman last Monday 15th July, 2024. One other has been found dead. The Indian Navy announced that 8 Indians and 1 Sri Lankan from the […]
Local Shipping – Converted RAF Rescue Launch into Motor Yacht BARRACUDA at Malta
One of the former British Admiralty Boat still trading around is the 21 metre motor yacht BARRACUDA. Built by Vosper Ltd at Portsmouth, UK in 1957 with yard no 2512 for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a Rescue Target Towing Launch (RTTL) Mk II 2758 Above image is of RTTL C 71 (Ex 2771) […]
Casualties – 1952 built self discharging bulk carrier MICHIPICOTEN arrived safely in port – 08.06.2024
After yesterday – Saturday 8th June , 2024 we reported that the bulker MICHIPICOTEN collided with something underwater on Lake Superior and had water ingress ( https://maltashipphotos.com/casualties-1952-built-self-discharging-bulk-carrier-michipicoten-taking-water-08-06-2024/) has safely anchored in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She was loaded with taconite when she began to take on water after colliding with something underwater. Taconite is a low-grade […]
Barracuda 2024 Exercise – Malta-Italy Bilateral Exercise – May 2024
Malta’s strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, intersecting major shipping lanes linking the east and west, underscores both its strength and vulnerability to maritime incidents. Recognising the imperative to safeguard its vital tourism industry, ports, and desalination plants, Transport Malta (TM) explained that ”Malta has diligently worked over the past decade to […]
Aviation – Farewell to the AB 212 Helicopter by the Italian Air Force – 22.02.2024
After 40 years of excellent service the last HH-212 (as the AB212 is designated in accordance with the Italian MOD Mission Design Series) of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Airforce), made its final flight from its homebase at Grazzanise, Italy, last Thursday 22nd February during a phase out ceremony that celebrated the 40 years of activity […]
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION – Crossing in the Mediterranean Sea finish as a tragedy – 23.02.2024
On Friday 23rd February, 2024 the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Operations Centre based at Luqa Barracks received a phone call around 1045 hrs stating that around 3-5 miles east of Malta there was a boat with immigrants heading to shore. Immediately AFM notified the aircraft that was airborne to go to the area and […]
Migrant Rescue Ship – THEBACKLASH leaving Malta fresh from refit/drydocking – January, 2024
With 26 hospital beds the 2000 built vessel, THEBACKLASH left Malta last Monday 29th January, 2024 passing breakwaters at 0931 hrs after 4 months refit including drydocking. She was originally built as the HAVILA STAR in Norway by Kleven Verft – Ulsteinvik, with yard number 288 for Atlantic Offshore Rescue – Aberdeen, UK. During 2007 […]
AFM – MELITA I conducts medevac with EAGLE BRISBANE – 29.12.2023
On Friday 29th December, 2023 the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) responded to a medical evacuation (medevac) call with the Aframax crude oil tanker EAGLE BRISBANE. The Vittoria Class SAR Boat MELITA I was dispatched to the tanker around 3 miles north east off Grand Harbour, since she was in ballast condition and around 0935 […]
Casualties – Turkish Cargo Ship KAFKAMETLER confirmed sunk – November 2023
After last Monday 20th November we issued an article regarding the Turkish 1988 built cargo ship KAFKAMETLER with 12 crew members on board missing , now it’s confirmed that the vessel sunk of which local media reported that the body of a deceased individual was found washed ashore near Eregli later on Monday. Turkish Authorities have […]
