AFM locates overdue fishing boat

An AFM Islander aircraft this morning located a Maltese fishing boat which had been reported overdue by anxious relatives of the crewmen at Marsascala. The AFM said the 'Christabelle' was reported overdue at 7.45 a.m. Two patrol boats and a rescue...

An AFM Islander aircraft this morning located a Maltese fishing boat which had been reported overdue by anxious relatives of the crewmen at Marsascala.

The AFM said the 'Christabelle' was reported overdue at 7.45 a.m. Two patrol boats and a rescue launch were immediately deployed on a search pattern, as well as the Islander and a Malta-based Frontex Merlin helicopter.

By 10.40 a.m. is was established that another fishing boat, the 'Consiglia Madre' had been in contact with the missing boat earlier in the day.

The Islander then managed to establish contact with the 'Christabelle' and overflew it 61 nautical miles off Delimara Point. The crew were safe and were seen hauling their nets.

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