Search for missing boy continues
The AFM said this afternoon it was continuing its search for 11-year-old Theo Bugeja, the only person still missing following the sinking of the fishing boat Simshar over a week ago.
A helicopter of the Italian Military Mission and an AFM patrol boat are in the search area along with a number of Maltese fishing vessels.
The AFM expressed its appreciation for the support afforded to it in connection with the search, including the Italian, Libyan, Tunisian and United States authorities, as well as the Italian Military Mission in Malta and several Maltese fishing vessels.
Reacting to criticism, the AFM said its Operations’ Centre was notified by a relative of one the crew members that the Simshar was missing on Saturday 12th July, at 7.20 p.m. Consequently, no searches could have been conducted before that.
"On receipt of the information, the AFM’s actions were immediate, practically within minutes of being alerted of the fishing boat being overdue. AFM Operations’ Centre staff adhered to standard international procedures by initiating a communications search which included, at the AFM’s request, repeated calls by Palermo Radio, Lampedusa Radio and Malta Radio. A PAN-PAN message, which is a voice procedure giving a description of the incident in question, was also sent out on merchant vessel frequencies at regular intervals. Other repeated calls continued by Malta Radio to Simshar.
"Furthermore, the AFM P-51 patrol boat, returning from an illegal migrants’ incident close to Lampedusa was informed of this overdue vessel, and instructed to keep a lookout for it. Also, an AFM aircraft which was on coastal patrol was also alerted to keep a sharp look-out for the overdue vessel.
"Concurrent to all these ongoing efforts, contacts were made at various levels between Maltese, Libyan, Tunisian and Italian authorities to verify if this vessel had for any reason entered their ports. Meanwhile enquiries with relatives were on-going. Acting on the information that they were receiving, the AFM can safely say that they left no stone unturned in the efforts that were being undertaken to locate the overdue vessel or its survivors."
The AFM also reiterated that it did not preclude any fishing vessel from setting sail to search for the overdue boat. In fact, both relatives and representatives of the Fisheries Co-operative were separately invited to AFM Headquarters and briefed on the conduct of the search operation. Discussions concerning the probable area of drift where likely contact could be made with the Simshar were also held. The fishing vessels as a matter of fact searched in the indicated area.
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In Discussion
19 Comments
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M. Debono
Jul 22nd 2008, 19:19
Just one question: What's the use of having an apparatus that emits signals about one's postion at sea when there is no one on the other end monitoring your signal?
Michael Attard
Jul 22nd 2008, 09:40
@Mr Martinelli.
Resignations begin at the top.
Why did the fisheries department wait until Saturday to inform the Forces?. Come to think of it,it was a member of one of the crew's families that took the initative. At least someone had some common sense although a bit late in the day.
Why did AFM not make contact with Fisheries Dept and vice versa as soon as they new a boat and crew were missing.? To say it is not part of their remit to search before being asked is the same as letting an old woman fall into a hole because she cannot see and she hasn't asked for assistance.All it needed was a simple phone call between the Departments surely?
I don't believe in Miracles,either at sea,on land or at Lourdes but am continually surprised at people who do.
J Martinelli
Jul 22nd 2008, 00:37
I am no expert at such disasters but some comments below prompted me to think about this tragedy, and calmly think of what may have happened and at the same time address some of the comments.
Shimshar left port in a seemingly perfect condition. After sailing some sixty miles South of Malta the Shimshar suffered a big explosion and sank. This we know.
One comment was regarding the life raft not opening as it should. Question: Is this type of raft designed to open after a catastrophic explosion?
The second comment was regarding the AFM's performance and its monitoring methods. Question: Was the Shimshar the only vessel being monitored? Does the AFM start a search whenever the absence of a signal is detected? Besides the AFM were not searchers from Libya, Tunisia, Italy and Maltese fishermen participating too?
And finally, I ask Michael Attard who, in his opinion should resign, why and what would he have done differently?
A Magisterial Inquiry is in place and hopefully it will provide some answers however one thing is for certain under the circumstances even one survivor is a miracle. Finding scattered survivors at sea is worse than searching needles in a haystack.
Amanda Mallia
Jul 21st 2008, 20:57
C Borg - Life rafts should be serviced regularly, if I am informed correctly. Maybe it would be worth looking into who carried out the necessary service, and to see what precautions they take to ensure that the work is done properly. Such action may help avoid any similar future cases.
Amanda Mallia
Jul 21st 2008, 20:54
Looking for a missing vessel is one thing; looking for survivors/bodies is an entirely different matter.
Everybody is wiser afterwards, but the fact that the boat "disappeared" from the radar "suddenly" points to an explosion on board, thus why look for "a vessel"? More logic and better coordination could have spared the victims - not to mention their families, who will never be able to get over such a tragedy - such a horrific ordeal.
patrick mifsud
Jul 21st 2008, 19:43
Dear All,
Let us stop saying things which might not make sense right now and instead let us all say a prayer and put a candle in the window. the candle of hope so that Our Lady will help us find Theo. We should also remember the families of these people so that God will give them strength and comfort in this difficult period. May God Grant eternal peace to the victims.
c.t. busuttil
Jul 21st 2008, 19:16
WE ARE ALL HEART BROKEN AT THIS TRAGEDY BUT WE MUST THINK MATURELY. The AFM is composed of human beings too. Mrs Carabott herself thanked them. I have no doubt that they took the matter seriously. It is ridiculous and typical to suggest negligence without any evidence. We are very quick to blame others but slow to make positive suggestions for improvement. Perhaps if we all paid our taxes, there would be more funds for state-of-the-art rescue equipment.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 21st 2008, 18:38
Have you folks ever stopped tgo consider that of the last 5 incidents involving people missing at sea, the AFM were never the ones to find them!! SOmething is seriously wrong.
I am in no way blaming the individual AFM staff, who I am sure are doing their best, but something must be wrong tactically!
Eric Psaila
Jul 21st 2008, 17:55
I do not think that it is ethical for anyone especially at this stage to point any finger at anyone. However we should all be very concerned why the search did not begin on Thursday and I quote from Mr A vella comments
Quote
given that now fishing vessels are equipped with a datatrak aparatus that feeds directly into the VMS station within the MMA. The VMS operators should have queried why the Simshar was not appearing anymore on their screens and not wait until relatives.
Unquote.
The public at large needs an answer to this very important question.
With respect to Mr C Borg comment to Mr A Vella re the life raft. It cause without saying that this should also be investigated.
Lastly the authorities are to dig deeply and investigate why was there an explosion onboard.
From what I gather this was a new boat equipped with the latest equipment. How could this happen?
For the sake of everybody we need to know. This is a national tragedy. The Maltese nation is heart broken to see these poor fellows die while doing a descent job. My condolances to the families of the victims.
Ray Deguara
Jul 21st 2008, 17:51
Only solidarity and prayers for Bugeja's and carabott's families that we can do at this heavy moment, Wish also that Mr Bugeja (the only survivor) to recover very soon and will look foward in his life. May god give them eternal rest.
Victor G.Mercieca
Jul 21st 2008, 17:37
As one the General Aviation Aircraft's Operators requested to join the air search for the missing 2 souls, who were still in the water by the local Fisheries Co-Op. We took off at day-break & flew out to support about 6 fishing boats on location, 66 NM south west of the Malta, 32 SE of Lampedusa. We were instrumental in locating the third unfortunated crew member, AFM was informed thereafter, one of the boats stood by until recovery. We headed back after 3 hours scanning the sea for any debris, it was now just after 09:00 hrs as we approached the airfield, we THEN saw the Italian mission helicopter go out to location, & no sea patrols were seen. This local search & rescue status is not working like it should be. Why was AFM reluctant to respond promptly in such situations? The level of SAR protection in this region can be downgraded as not to put at risk all kinds maritime vessels & civil aircraft. AFM need to work together with local civil air resources that can assist to achieve what is required.....that level of mentality unfortunately is still lacking! SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT....IT MUST BE PLANNED!
wally vella-zarb
Jul 21st 2008, 16:58
I wish people would stop their calls for 'heads to roll', 'resignations', 'trials', 'negligence', 'lack of competence', and other similar hysterical outbursts, when it is evident that they have no idea of what they are talking!
One possible provision that Government / Malta Maritime Authority could well consider is making the carrying of a registered EPIRB mandatory on any boat that is licensed to go outside of territorial waters (i.e. Valletta registration). However, although this would be sensible in the eyes of many people, many others could well see it as being rather draconian.
Joseph Sammut
Jul 21st 2008, 16:50
Mr. Vella miserably fails to understand, like the majority of the Maltese public at large, what the AFM are saying: they COULD NOT (in any way) have acted BEFORE Saturday evening, before when they were informed by Mrs. Sharon Bugeja that her husband's overdue vessel. In other words, they DO NOT monitor the local fishing fleet's VMS's equipment regular signal emitted stating position and other data. That is simply NOT their remit, but of the Fisheries Dept.
What few appreciate is how stretched the AFM's Maritime Squadron were at the time of the SIMSHAR's search start, with the ongoing illegal-migration patrols, monitoring and intervening for rescues or recoveries off the high seas. The AFM themselves have come clean by stating they even had a boat out returning from Lampedusa, where it handled admirably 340 migrants, 36 of wjich it had taken onboard when they took to the water.
Next important questions: so how did these anti illegal-migrant operations detract from having AFM surface assets deployed in the search areas as well, aprt from the aircraft involved? And, why give so many Euros to hearse drivers, when the AFM flagship has been idle since January waiting for parts & funds?
Franco Farrugia
Jul 21st 2008, 16:42
So, MR VELLA wants a trial ... Mr BORG wants the manufacturer of the life raft to stand trial ... and what about whoever had the responsibility of ensuring that the life raft worked? And what about whoever had the responsibility of ensuring that at least the boy was wearing a life jacket all the time he was on board? And what if ... and what if ..... this is not the time to express such emotional screams.
But something has to be learnt from such a dreadful tragedy - about the importance of not taking life for granted and to realise that accidents and tragedies MAY AFTER ALL BE WAITING FOR YOU within the next minute. .... hence, the importance of avoiding all that can be dangerous, and taking precautions.
Ian Sammut Dacoutros
Jul 21st 2008, 16:22
I totally agree with Mr.C.Borg. Having a life raft on board is great, and we should ensure that the law is obeyed in this regard, but to think that these poor souls had a life raft and it failed is just shocking!!! On the life raft there are GPS transmitters etc... this should have been nothing more than the loss of a boat, not all these lives!!! This is a new boat for Pete's sake!!! The AFM and all those putting their neck on the line are to be saluted not slaughtered!!! We are all shocked but to say 'An enquiry must be held heads must roll. '(Michael Attard) is not directing the anger to the right person. These life rafts come with a guarantee, sue the living daylights off the company, it will not bring them back but one should be able to rely on these things to at least work when / if they are ever needed
M. Schembri
Jul 21st 2008, 16:13
@C. Borg - I agree 100% with your last point.
C.borg
Jul 21st 2008, 16:00
This story has shocked us all, with a very unfortunate ending..
There are quite a few things that could have been done differently, but I think it is very unfair to just sit and point fingers at the AFM for this misfortune. I'm pretty sure that they, along with the other fishermen, are doing their best to find poor theo.
@ mr vella; If anyone should go on trial its the manufacturer of the Life raft that failed to open.........
Michael Attard
Jul 21st 2008, 15:59
If the first indication that AFM received was from the family.and they didn't do anything about searching fro this vessel before then ,than they are at fault and so all who knew that a vessel and crew were missing since at least Thursday night.
An enquiry must be held heads must roll. If we were in a civilised Country we would have had resignations by now.
A.Vella
Jul 21st 2008, 15:40
It is unacceptable for the AFM to say that they did the best they could and started the S&R mission when they were notified by the crew's relatives - the search should have begun on Thursday given that now fishing vessels are equipped with a datatrak aparatus that feeds directly into the VMS station within the MMA. The VMS operators should have queried why the Simshar was not appearing anymore on their screens and not wait until relatives inform the authorities to start the search. This is a big disgrace for the AFM!!! I surely expect some kind of trial to be held to find out who was responsible for the negligence and lack of competence!