The boat was sighted drifting some 55 nautical miles south of Malta by an Italian Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which alerted the RCC.

The RCC immediately drafted a search plan and coordinated the search operation, which commenced a few hours after the reported sighting and continued until yesterday evening. The search, which was intensive and was only suspended during the night, was conducted in inclement weather conditions with rough seas and high winds up to force six, the RCC said in a statement.

The Armed Forces of Malta carried out the search operation, deploying its patrol craft P51 and Islander aircraft. During this intensive search operation, the United States Navy assisted the AFM with a P3 Orion aircraft while the Italian Coast Guards deployed their Piaggio 166 aircraft, on the request of the AFM.

Unfortunately, although all possible search areas were systematically explored, no positive sighting of the boat was reported.

“Given the low probability of such detection now that three days have elapsed and all possible air/sea assets were deployed to no avail, RCC Malta decided to conclude the search,” the statement said.