Lessons to be learned from Simshar tragedy - PM
Major Wallace Camilleri (right), Acting Commanding Officer of the Armed Forces of Malta Maritime Squadron, presents a polished brass paperweight made at the squadron's base to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, during an official visit at the squadron's base in Pietà. Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, Commander of the Armed Forces, is on Dr Gonzi's left. Photo: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Press Office
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said there were many lessons to be learned from the Simshar tragedy, and urged that it should not be forgotten.
Speaking during a visit to the Armed Forces of Malta Maritime Squadron base at Hay Wharf, he said the AFM must continue to bolster its resources in all areas and fishermen should be given the best possible training.
The Simshar sank nearly a month ago after a fire on board and its crew could not be traced in subsequent intensive searches. Four people lost their lives in the tragedy, including an 11-year-old boy, the son of sole survivor Simon Bugeja who was picked up by other fishermen after several days floating at sea.
The Prime Minister said the government will be looking into the possibility of equipping the AFM with more boats.
He praised the squadron for its role in search and rescue, together with the Air Wing.
Referring to the heavy responsibilities borne by the squadron, such as in relation to illegal immigration, Dr Gonzi said the public did not appreciate enough the human side of the soldiers.
He also referred to female soldiers, holding the armed forces out as a fine example of equality between males and females.
At the moment, the armed forces boast two women in high positions, one of whom is to be found at the Maritime Squadron: Major Ruth Ruggier, second in command of the squadron.
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MARK BUGEJA
Aug 7th 2008, 21:22
Quote: "The public did not appreciate enough the human side of the soldiers."
Sure we do not appreciate what the soldiers did, in better words, what the Brigadier Carmel Vassallo did. I have been outside searching for the simshar and it's crew for 8 days and I only saw 2 aeroplanes, one on Tuesday 15 July and another on Sunday 20 July. Where were the others? Why did Mr Carmel Vassallo lie when he said that he had informed the authorities of Tunis, Libya and Italy when I can prove that he did not because on Friday 18 July I met an Italian patrol boat and they did not know about the case. Along that week I also met with many ships, italians and tunisian fishing boats and they knew nothing.
If the AFM have such an accurate instrument like the VMS monitoring, with all the neccesary data and until now they never took the advantage like other countries to use it also for safety reasons?
How can it be that they did well, when we found 4 people in the sea and they did'nt find any?!
Chris Buttigieg
Aug 7th 2008, 18:06
Again, if all resources are being used to track down and save illegal immigrants then when a local crisis occurs there is nothing we can do...Fishermen had to save the sole survivor not AFM wey should we thank them?
apgrech
Aug 7th 2008, 13:47
The Prime Minister is quoted as saying: "The public did not appreciate enough the human side of the soldiers."
You are wrong, Mr PM. We appreciate a lot what the soldiers are doing. We don't appreciate what you and your government are doing to stop this invasion.