The AFM have been involved in the search for Reuben Galea, 29 years of age since Monday morning. Mr Galea is said to have departed from the north of Malta in his 25-foot speedboat on the evening of Saturday. His family alerted the Rescue Coordination Centre Malta when he failed to return to land.

Investigations have revealed that Mr Galea intended to proceed to Sicily with his craft, which is yellow and maroon in colour. Search efforts thus far have concentrated on this area and are ongoing. To date they have involved boats, helicopters and aircraft from the AFM, Italian Airforce and Italian Coastguard.

Constant contact is also being maintained with MRCC Rome and commercial vessels transiting the area have been asked to keep a sharp lookout for Mr Galea’s speedboat. The weather conditions in the search area have been good with calm seas and light winds.

However, the scanty information regarding Mr Galea’s movements continue to hamper efforts to locate him. The AFM thus wishes to ask any person who may have further information in this regard to contact either the AFM or Police in order to assist with the search.

Mr Galea was wearing a green top and blue jeans. He is five feet seven inches tall, is of medium build, fair complexion and has black hair. Anyone with information is asked to call on 2122-1111.