Update 2: AFM rescue kite surfer
Photos: Alister Cachia
A kite surfer who found himself in difficulty was rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta, some 200 metres off Comino.
Sources said that the army had dispatched a helicopter to assist a wind surfer who was reported to be in difficulty but who then turned out to be fine.
While the helicopter was still airborne, the army received a report that a kite surfer was in difficulty between Cirkewwa and Mgarr.
The helicopter was sent to assist the man, Keith Balzan of Swieqi, who was some 200 metres off Comino. He was winched onto land near the White Tower, where his friends were waiting.
An eyewitness, reader Alister Cachia, said he was photographing the kite surfers who were making the most of today's winds when he heard an AFM helicopter and realised that one had fallen close to the Gozo Channel vessel.
Later in the afternoon, the Sliema Waterpolo Pitch's management reported that two swimmers found themselves in difficulty while swimming some 300 metres from the waterpolo club.
The AFM dispatched a rescue-launch and spotted the two swimmers using a flotation device off Tigne Point.
An Air Wing Alouette helicopter was also scrambled into the air to provide assistance as required.
The two swimmers made it safely to shore but a police mobile unit dispatched to the area could not trace the swimmers, two boys, once they arrived on location to investigate.
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Mauro Cilia
Jul 25th 2010, 14:19
Well done to the Armed Forces of Malta. :)
camilleri sandra
Jul 25th 2010, 10:33
Well done to the Air Wing crew who do a great job
C Galea
Jul 25th 2010, 09:25
Mr a abela dont be such a nascence the person got help and there is nothing to pay for, after all that’s why we pay all the taxis and national insurance for. It seems you never had to call for help yourself otherwise you would not talk like that. Let’s cut the baby talk here Mr abela please
Vella David
Jul 24th 2010, 22:28
oh come give the lad some space to have fun. It is only a sport . Young people should be allowed some free space.
joe gatt
Jul 26th 2010, 16:01
Well done to our military, they deserve all the credit. Its a releif that this adventure ended well.
Just a note though, these little incidents could end up badly as conditions change, eg. the weather. It may very well place all involved lives, unnecessarily in peril.
Human life is priceless, but nothing comes without costs & it is a very expensive excersize just the same. Way back a Jetranger Helicopter running cost per hour was around 350Euro. I would imagine an Aluette III, much more nowadays.
Youth should all be for adventure, but one should not jeopardise own & others health & safety.
I suggest that when certain sport activities are involved then as minimum, this activity in particular, there should be a tender, inflatable, standing by.
Thus rescue if necessary will be immediately at hand & available, besides, it is much a cheaper and cost effective way possible.
This would also, save on wear & tear, maintenace (costs are not trivial in aviation), enhancing availability of quite expensive equipment, availability for more serious and life threatening emergencies.
Spiro Farrugia
Jul 24th 2010, 22:15
Very impressed with the speed and the efficiantcy of the operation. I should not be, but then I've been away from Malta to long. Keep up the good work. The best from California,Spiro Farrugia
a abela
Jul 24th 2010, 20:40
I hope the person rescued pays for the service offered like abroad.
G.Debono
Jul 24th 2010, 19:59
Well done helicopter!
Tonio Magro
Jul 24th 2010, 18:10
Well Done Alistair???? For What??? Very Well Done AFM !
L Spiteri
Jul 24th 2010, 18:07
Well done to the Air Wing helicopter crew!
If people used a bit more common sense and a little more caution before venturing on or near the sea in marginal weather conditions such as today’s, there wouldn’t be the need for our brave troops to endanger their own lives.
N. Portelli
Jul 24th 2010, 16:46
well done alister!