From MaltaMedia.com
Tugboat crew rescue 28 illegal migrants
By MaltaMedia News
May 16, 2008 - 3:32:32 PM
In the wee hours on Friday, at around 0255CET, a Fisheries' Department official from Marsaxlokk informed the Armed Forces of Malta's Operations Centre at Luqa Barracks that a tugboat had taken onboard 28 illegal migrants (including a child), who had been in the water after their boat had capsized on the high seas.
The tugboat "Schottland" is at present towing a tuna cage towards Tunisia at a slow 2-knot speed, and had taken the migrants onboard in a position some 65 nautical miles from Malta.
The 8-man crew tried their best to assist the recovered migrants, allowing them the use of their cabins and facilities, and provided food and water as well. Restocking of the crew's food supplies were immediately dispatched by the tugboat operators from Malta.
By 1320CET, the AFM's Protector-class patrol-baot P-52 from Maritime Squadron had reached the tugboat, and recovered onboard the rescued migrants.
P-52's ETA at its Haywharf Base in Floriana is expected at 1715CET.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com