A total of 437 fines were issued at sea by Transport Malta since the start of 2021, according to figures presented by Transport Malta to The Malta Independent on Sunday.

This newsroom reached out to the respective authorities – Transport Malta and the Malta Police Force – to find out the number of crimes at sea that were reported in the past seven months. The figures presented include a breakdown of the number of vessels found contravening the regulations as well as a breakdown of warning and charges issued.

Throughout the past year, up until July, the figures show that there were a total of 1,706 inspections at sea by Transport Malta’s maritime enforcement patrol ribs.

From these inspections, 437 fines and 182 warnings were given, whilst 1,087 sea vessels were found to be in order.

Amongst the breakdown of warnings and charges issued, over-speeding was the main breach reported, with a total of 98 fines and 127 warnings being given.

The breach with the second highest reports was that of berthing in a prohibited area. A total of 92 fines and 4 warnings were given in this regard.

Meanwhile, 44 fines were issued due to expired vessel registration and another 46 fines were issued for vessels who had an unregistered engine.

Between 22 to 27 fines were also issued due to vessels having no insurance (25), no markings (24), inappropriate markings (22) and driving without a nautical license (27). A total of 27 warnings were also issued for the same mentioned breaches: 10 for no insurance, 4 for no markings, 6 for inappropriate markings and another 7 for driving without a nautical license. 

Other breaches, including overloading, mooring within the swimmer zones lines, driving with no navigation lights at night and loud music, gained a reported one breach each.

Meanwhile, the Malta Police Force also presented to this newsroom figures highlighting the number of contraventions given from within their unit.

Between January and July 2021, the police issued a total of ten fines, whilst it received a total of 23 reports.

The main breach reported to the police was theft from a sea craft, as 12 reports were noted. Another 11 reports were registered, but this time they were related to theft of a sea craft.

With regard to the contraventions issued, figures show that two fines were given due to vessels entering a swimmer zone, four fines were given for over-speeding, whilst another four fines were given to vessels without a marked registration.