Video: Updated: Weather affects maritime operations

Three cruiseships have been affected by the gale force winds which have hit Malta with the Costa Concordia and the Grand Celebration being kept waiting outside Grand Harbour and the Celebrity Century cancelling its call to Malta.

Another eight vessels could not enter harbour due to the inclement weather, the Malta Maritime Authority said.

The MMA also reported that at midnight, Carl C, a 100-metre cargo vessel, flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, and anchored off Xrobb l-Ghagin to carry out some engine repairs, started dragging its anchor and struck a fish farm operated by Malta Fishfarming Ltd.

The vessel, which was not bound to Malta, has a crew of 12 persons onboard and is carrying steel products. The authority, through the Vessel Traffic Services Centre has been monitoring the situation since the early hours of the day and is currently supervising the operation.

The tugs Ramla Bay and Pawlina were dispatched on scene to assist the vessel while the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department were contacted to assist as necessary if crew members need to be evacuated. The operation is being coordinated by the MMA's harbour master.

No casualties have been reported.

The weather has also affected operations at the Malta Freeport, as cranes could not be operated due to the strong winds. In fact port operations at Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk came to a standstill as, for safety reasons, pilots were not boarding vessels so no vessels were entering the harbours.