When it comes to saving lives, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM)'s Maritime Squadron dedicates its full range of resources to an operation, regardless of the life-threatening conditions its ships encounter at sea and even if it places its sailors' lives on thin ice.
There's no room for error, the slightest lapse and the ice breaks. But the sailors don't think twice about the instructions received. Years of training have taught them to execute the procedure with discipline. After all, it's a matter of life or death.
The ship returns to port and other than sharing words of encouragement, in most cases the sailors don't make the headlines. But these men and women don't bother about that because as the sun rises, their knell might be tolling in the distance.
Search and rescue operations are a fraction of the Maritime Squadron's obligations. It is also responsible for the pursuit of smugglers at sea, enforcing fishing legislation, inspecting pleasure boats and monitoring commercial ships.
Other routine operations include the disposal of unserviceable government stores, burials at sea, the towing of boats and ships and the escorting of foreign warships. Furthermore, the ships are expected to assist animals in distress in the sea.
More often than not, it's a turtle or dolphin entangled in a discarded fishing net or a bird that has gotten itself attached to a fishing line after biting the bait. The Maritime Squadron has also been asked to assist domestic animals in the sea.
However, a strong stomach is critical to a sailor. And if it's not strong enough, it will be made so. But it's not against seasickness. During a recent training exercise, sailors pulled aboard a beheaded corpse instead of a mannequin.
Neither do sailors have a chance to catch their breath on a quiet morning. It might be a chance to have a mug of coffee together (and a chance to polish their beaten shoes) but there's the ship's maintenance to catch up on.
The engineers retire to the engine room and the remainder inspect the equipment: controls, navigation, surveillance and most important of all, lifejackets and liferafts. Meanwhile, the ship's cook prepares the day's lunch. And if the ship's schedule remains unaltered and search and rescue isn't imminent, it will leave port to perform routine mechanical and electronic testing and, once it is well clear of the coast, training exercises. But a sailor's mind is never at rest.
Being part of the Maritime Squadron is certain to quench one's thirst for adventure. When least expected, routine operations can become an intense search and rescue, often pushing sailors to their limits. It takes dedication, courage and determination.