Local Shipping – PRINCESS DIANA & PRINCESS ELIZABETH
Two boats that were former Libyan Customs and Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Patrol Craft and were never used as short sea passenger boats were the 31.4 metres craft PRINCESS DIANA and PRINCESS ELIZABETH. PRINCESS DIANA was built in 1963 for the Libyan Customs by Brodogradiliste Kraljevica in Hrvatska at Yugoslavia as ARRAID and on […]
Maritime Issues – Courtesy Flag in Malta – Nov 2021
It is a custom among merchant ships or any kind of vessel that when entering or leaving a foreign port and during their stay in the port to fly the colours of that country. as a mark of respect. Also, never fly one country’s flag beneath another’s on the same mast. This is a sign […]
AFM – Live GUNEX – November 2021
Between Monday 15th and Friday 19th November 2021 the Maritime Squadron conducted a live gunnery firing practice involving maritime assets from Pembroke Ranges (LMD-1). The Ports & Yachting Directorate issued Notice to Mariners – NtM 38 dated 5th November, 2021. On Monday 15th November the Emer Class OPV P 62 was seen in the area […]
Casualties – MFA 384 PEPPINA at Marsalforn Bay, Gozo – 13.11.2021
On Saturday 13th November, 2021 thanks to Alldive Ltd Personnel together with TugMalta Personnel saved the 12.65 metre fishing vessel MFA 384 PEPPINA from sinking though her stern was already underwater at Marsalforn Bay, Gozo. Normally MFA 384 PEPPINA is moored at the Menqa in Marsalforn Bay of which last June she was spotted there […]
Local Shipping – BEEZER
One of the ships involved in Oil Spill Response is the 1990 built RTK 412 Ramped Craft BEEZER. She arrived aboard the research ship NORTHELLA back in 2001 (NORTHELLA article – https://maltashipnews.com/2021/10/17/research-survey-vessel-northella/ )of which she was stored at Cassar Ship Repair Yard. Apart from oil spill response she’s used for other purposes such as transportation […]
Broken Up – SEVE-SEAS I at Malta – Q 4 of 2021.
The 62 year old tanker SEVE-SEAS I was broken up at Malta after being shifted to MMH Facilities by the tug GOZZO on Thursday 16th September, 2021. Started her life as HSwMS FRYKEN A 217 with the Swedish Navy she was delivered on 24th November, 1959 supporting the navy with fresh water. She was built […]
Naval Visits – FGS U 35 S185 – 16-19.09.2021
One of the 6th submarine Type 212 Class of the German Navy FGS U35 with pennant number as S 185 paid a diplomatic visit at Grand Harbour, Malta on Thursday 16th September of which she passed breakwaters at 0902 hrs. Berthing Preparations commenced on Wednesday 15th September using for the first time 2 Pneumatic Floating […]
Delivery Voyage – World’s Largest Civilian Hospital Ship GLOBAL MERCY at Malta – 02.09.2021.
On Thursday 2nd September, 2021 the world’s largest civilian hospital ship – GLOBAL MERCY entered Grand Harbour, Malta at 0709 hrs assisted by 1 tug berthing port side alongside Boiler Wharf. She arrived on Tuesday 31st August after 2200 hrs and was spotted drifting outside territorial waters around 43 nautical miles After several years of […]
Casualties – Gozo Fast Ferry YOUR FAITH fire aboard with passengers evacuated – 23.08.2021

On Monday 23rd August, 2021 around 0745 hrs shortly after the 2018 built high speed craft YOUR FAITH left Mgarr Harbour, Gozo a fire broke out and all passengers on board were disembarked safely aboard the Comino Ferries Co-Op passenger boat MIDAS I with Transport Malta (TM) rib S21402 in attendance. No one was injured […]
Barges – Fireworks due to Vittoriosa Feast – 10.08.2021

On Wednesday 6th May, 2020 the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement announced in a press release that a limited permit will be granted for fireworks to be set off on the days that the local feast is usually celebrated. This decision was made after evaluating several aspects of the situation, primarily […]