The largest Maltese Armed Forces naval vessel, P62, was welcomed at Haywharf, Valletta after a week of travel from Ireland in bad weather.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi met the 41 crew members.

Over the past weeks, the crew had been working on the boat, preparing it for its first voyage under a Maltese flag, and it will operate under the Maltese maritime squadron.

The vessel will be used as offshore patrol until works are carried out on the P61 AFM boat and until the Maltese army obtains another vessel.