Yachtsman detained for ignoring AFM orders

A Maltese yachtsman was yesterday detained by military personnel for ignoring AFM orders as his manoeuvres compromised the HSBC Putinu Cares charity participants' safety, the army said last night.

During the charity event, the triathlon swimming portion was held in the Malta-Gozo channel.

This portion started off from Marfa in canoes to Sta Marija Bay in Comino, from where the participants swam to Hondoq ir-Rummien.

During this stage of the event, a Maltese yacht was seen manoeuvring close to the swimmers, and AFM Swift-class patrol boat P-24 gave several warnings for the yacht to alter its course or stop.

While P-24 was advising other advancing yachts of the charity event swimmers, the yachtsman crossed the danger zone, endangering the swimmers' lives, the army added.

After several warnings, the Search and Rescue (SAR) launch Melita 2, chased the yacht which was eventualy intercepted. The yachtsman was handed over to the police in Mgarr, the army said.

AFM Maritime Squadron personnel rescued three canoeists during the charity event in the Comino-Gozo channel, when their canoes capsized during force 4-5 rough seas. Melita 2 rescued the two male and a female participants who were suffering from shock.

Another two canoeists, who were tired out, were recuperated safely.