Search for snorkeller resumes

Chris Park

Jan 16th 2009, 10:38

It seems your reader got it wrong not seeing the AFM searchers in the area from his vantage point, and was had to level an accusation by raising doubt on the ongoing search efforts.

He obviously didn't spot the AFM's EOD divers on their boat out of Anchor Bay's quay, and their foot patrol along the extremely rugged coastline (they DO HAVE camouflaged uniforms & maybe difficult to spot).

Neither did he spot nearby AFM patrol boat that also joined by a the bright orange tug boat of CPD 'Garibaldi'.

Obviously he didn't have an air band radio like an aircraft enthusiast to know the Italian Air Force AB212 SAR-helo was in their 5 MILES OUT doing a calculated search pattern as protocol and norm demand.

So, somebody out in the countryside strolling missed all this, and blogged here before checking facts!

And I'd like to see what results civilian or family initiatives might yield without such Search and Rescue services underway.

Mark Camilleri

Jan 15th 2009, 20:29

@ Dorothy Caruana

I do appreciate that people in the army risk their lives to save others, but when I saw the family of the victim waiting on the army to come give them closure and to actually see that little was being done, is not a nice scene to see. A helicopter passed over thee scene and no divers were on the spot in the surrounding area. When I returned home this morning I told my parents that if something had to happen to me while diving, they should take their own initiative to look for me. That's how frustrated I was.

MT Caruana

Jan 15th 2009, 18:41

@Mark Camilleri

I guess you were on the scene very early ,this morning then !

Let me inform you that a search by the mentioned above ( Helicopter, divers etc), has been done. Add with them the CPD , who had to ship the Garibaldi from Marsa till the search spot....and we all know how the weather was this morning !!!

I'm very sorry for the missing diver, and his family, but please Mark lets show some gratitude to these people who risk their lives to save others !!!

Mark Camilleri

Jan 15th 2009, 12:53

I was on the scene this morning and I never saw any of the mentioned resources on site. It's a real shame !!! The sea was ideal for searching this morning until the storm hit our shores. I hope he will be found so it will give closure to all his relatives.