No sign of missing boat

The Armed Forces of Malta are working closely with the Libyan and Tunisian authorities who have searched their waters in an attempt to find the Maltese fishing boat reported missing almost a week ago.

The intensive searches for the 12-metre-long Simshar and its five crew members, including an 11-year-old boy, have been going on since the vessel was reported overdue on Saturday evening. Alas, so far there has been no sign of the vessel.

The AFM and the Italian Military Mission in Malta have worked with the Italian Navy and the US Navy to look for the fishing boat over the past five days.

Eight fishing vessels have also set out to search for the Simshar and are keeping regular contact with the AFM, Fisheries Cooperative chairman Raymond Bugeja said.

The Simshar left Marsaxlokk on Monday week and was due to return last Friday after a swordfish fishing trip. When it failed to return by Saturday concerned relative reported it missing. On board were boat-owner Simon Bugeja, his father Carmelo, Simon's 11-year-old son Teo, Noel Carabott and an Eritrean fisherman.