From Maj. I. M. Consiglio, AFM

The Armed Forces of Malta would like to express its appreciation for the support it has received so far relating to the search for the Maltese fishing vessel Simshar. The Italian, Libyan, Tunisian and United States authorities, as well as the Italian Military Mission in Malta and several Maltese fishing vessels, have all contributed in a substantial and coordinated way to this operation.

With reference to a number of allegations that were made, the AFM reiterates its stated position that its Operations’ Centre at Luqa Barracks was notified by a relative of one of the crew members of the fishing-vessel Simshar on Saturday 12 July, at 7.20pm and not prior to this stated date and time. Consequently, no searches could have been conducted before that.

Concerning the initial efforts by the Armed Forces of Malta, it must be stated that on receipt of the information, the AFM’s actions were immediate, practically within minutes after being alerted that the fishing-boat was overdue at its home-berth. AFM Operations’ Centre staff adhered to standard international procedures by initiating a communications search, which included, at the AFM’s request, repeated calls by Palermo Radio, Lampedusa Radio and Malta Radio. A PAN-PAN message, which is a voice procedure giving a description of the incident in question, was also sent out on merchant vessel frequencies at regular intervals. Other repeated calls continued by Malta Radio to Simshar.

Furthermore, the AFM P-51 patrol boat, returning from an illegal migrants’ incident close to Lampedusa was informed of this overdue vessel, and instructed to keep a lookout for it.

In addition, an AFM aircraft that was on coastal patrol was also alerted to keep a sharp lookout for the vessel.

Concurrent to all these ongoing efforts, contacts were made at various levels between Maltese, Libyan, Tunisian and Italian authorities to verify if this vessel had for any reason entered their ports. Meanwhile, enquiries with relatives were on-going. Acting on the information it was receiving, the AFM can safely say that it left no stone unturned in the efforts that were being undertaken to locate the vessel or its survivors.

It should be pointed out that, contrary to what was alleged yesterday, the AFM did not prevent any fishing vessel from setting sail to search for the overdue boat. In fact, both relatives and representatives of the Fisheries Co-operative were invited

separately to AFM Headquarters and briefed on the conduct of the search operation. Discussions concerning the probable area of drift where likely contact could be made with the Simshar were also held. Consequently, the fishing vessels actually searched in the indicated area.

Ivan M. Consiglio

(Staff Officer 2 – Public Information)

for Commander AFM