It is 11 months to the day that the Simshar fishing vessel sailed out of Marsaxlokk for the last time and, as fishermen are at the moment in the middle of the tuna fishing season, it seems that little apart from talks and recommendations have been made to ensure seafarers’ safety in the wake of the tragedy that had gripped the nation.
Last July, The Malta Independent reported that the two fishing cooperatives, Ghaqda Koperattiva tas-Sajd (GKS) and National Fisheries Cooperative (NFC), and the Armed Forces of Malta, which is Malta’s authority in search and rescue matters, had agreed to collaborate in order to raise fishermen’s awareness on safety at sea.
Joe Zahra, from the NFC said the cooperatives first met with AFM Commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo and other high-ranking officers and later with the Maritime Squadron officials and permanent secretary Chris Ciantar in the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (MRRA). Possible improvements to ensure safety at sea were discussed.
GKS secretary Paul Piscopo described the meetings as fruitful, as the AFM had put forward interesting and practical suggestions on ways in which the fishing community could improve safety on their vessels. In fact, fishermen were encouraged to take on board more appropriate distress and safety equipment and were given tips, such as substituting plastic pipes, which carry diesel, with pipes made of brass.
Mr Piscopo added that the AFM has drawn up a report containing recommendations in which it said “it is understood that the responsible Ministry will take into consideration such advice”.
In fact, said Mr Zahra, the ministry had endeavoured to appoint a safety officer to check that extinguishers, life rafts and other equipment were not ‘past their sell by date’, while AFM officers had offered to teach fishermen how to use their safety equipment properly.
He said he was looking forward to teaching safety procedures, as that was what fishermen wanted. “We do not want people to turn up and fine us for lacking in safety matters, we want people to check on us and advise us.” Mr Zahra said he hoped that such classes would not be held during the fishing season, which ends in October, as fishermen would be out at sea earning their living.
Mr Piscopo also called for EU funds to help fishermen update or implement safety procedures, or introduce safety material.
The Vessel Monitoring System, which was at the centre of controversy when the Simshar vanished, was also discussed, according to Mr Piscopo.
VMS, he said, is not regarded as safety equipment, but as a means for authorities to monitor fishing activity. He advocated the use of Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which, when activated, automatically sends a distress signal worldwide that alerts rescuers and provides them with coordinates. Authorities in turn would be able to access a database containing a particular vessel’s data such as make, crew and other details.
The system falls under the ministry’s responsibility and AFM has restricted access to it. However, an army spokesman said, “Arrangements are in progress to establish better access to VMS data at the AFM Operations Centre. Currently, technical aspects are being tackled to facilitate this access.”
The AFM and fishermen are currently meeting on the high seas because fisheries protection patrols have commenced. The army said that such patrols was one of the standing duties of the Air Wing and Maritime Squadron and all patrols would be on the lookout for illegal fishing in general. However, specific patrolling is being carried out in respect of the EU’s Blue Fin Tuna campaign coordinated by the Community Fisheries Control Agency. It is expected that such patrolling both by air and surface vessels will continue throughout the summer.
Yet, fishermen were grumbling that the AFM had only been checking on Maltese vessels and ignoring Italian ones, while the Italian coastguard has also been monitoring Maltese fishermen.