Questions on the Simshar tragedy

Like everyone else on the island I am deeply sorry about the Simshar tragedy.

But so far, all I have heard is people holding the Armed Forces of Malta responsible. I think this is very unfair. People should be asking themselves a few questions before accusing others.

What was an 11-year-old boy doing on a work boat? Were there life jackets on board?

Shouldn't a boat like the Simshar have a SART (search and rescue transponder) or an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacons) on board? Where was the portable VHF? What happened to the automatic fire extinguisher every boat should have in the engine room? Was the life raft which didn't work recently serviced or surveyed?

Were all the members of the crew properly trained for emergency situations?

Much could have been done to avoid a tragedy like this.

There are a hundred more questions that can be asked and we should all wait for all the answers and a clearer picture before pointing fingers.