Safety at sea is an issue of utmost importance – and has been so for a long number of years. But the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) still strives to drive the message across that people operating seacraft have to respect bathers and vice versa.
If navigation rules are understood and are coupled with a sufficient dose of common sense and caution, the sea will be a safer place for everyone.
In order to instil more awareness, the authority embarked on an annual campaign about safety at sea – the ninth of its kind, reminding people to observe basic regulations in a bid to curb sea accidents. The regulations were drawn up based on international regulations but tailor-made for the country’s requirements.
Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea said the various campaigns the authority ran in the past have gone a long way to educate the public about the importance of observing the rules, because ultimately, everyone at sea has a responsibility towards himself and others.
The Maritime Institute within the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology is holding three-week nautical courses, following the introduction of a new regulation – a nautical licence for people driving a boat. Up to now, it is obligatory for those driving boats with engines of 100 horse power or over and now it will also be obligatory for those with an engine of 75 horse power. The aim is for all operators of sea vessels to be in possession of a licence.
Participants gain hands-on experience on various subjects including boat handling, navigation, first aid, life saving and firefighting.
A total of 20 bays have been designated as swimmer zones and vessels cannot enter these zones, which are marked with visible red and yellow buoys. There are an extra two bays to last year’s list: the area under the Independence Gardens in Sliema and St George’s Bay in St Julian’s have also been declared as swimmer zones. The MMA was presently considering another four applications for swimming zones: two in Marsascala, one in Tas-Sannat in Gozo and another one in Sliema.
The head of the AFM Maritime Squadron Martin Cauchi-Inglott said in 2003 his squadron investigated 1,600 sea vessels, of which 903 were boarded. Only 60 of these were found without the required licence or insurance and their owners were prosecuted.
His squadron also performed a number of search and rescue operations. In 2003, they received 175 alerts from large merchant vessels but only three cases were real cases. The others were false alarms. Moreover, in 2003, 28 boats with a total of 286 illegal immigrants on board were rescued and brought to land. The squadron also carried out 14 medical evacuations using helicopters. The squadron has nine active vessels and another one is expected to be given to the AFM next week.