No fireworks carried on Gozo ferries
No fireworks are transported on the Gozo ferries, Gozo Channel said in a statement this morning.
It was responding to comments which appeared in the media in the wake of yesterday's fireworks factory explosion in Gharb. The fireworks had been manufactured in Malta and been taken to Gozo earlier in the day, on a private launch.
"In light of comments which are appearing, the company states categorically that fireworks are not transported on its vessels, as such material is transported privately by other means not under the control of Gozo Channel," the company said.
Gozo Channel also expressed its sorrow at the tragedy.
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Pile' Carmel
Sep 8th 2010, 12:56
There is a lot of fireworks in each cylinder and exhaust of the engines powering the Gozo Ferries, and a lot of dormant but potential calories and fireworks in the fuel tanks. We can never live in complete safety.
Tonio Bugeja
Sep 7th 2010, 22:57
Gas (any flamable gas for that matter) when exposed to a naked flame will burn and will never explode. Gas will explode only when the flamable gas mixes with oxygen in the air and THUS and explosive mixture is produced. The mixture of gas and air (oxygen) is explosive and can be triggered by a spark, particularly in a confined space. When such an explosion takes place, any cylinders which
are burst simply open up and the escaping gas just flares up and adds to the flames. The explosion (which can be devastating) is simply caused by just a mixture of both gases at just the atmospheric pressure.
for any reason, instead of gas, just a small ammount of vapourised flamable liquid such as petrol will produce the same effect.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 7th 2010, 22:31
If one thinks deeply about it, an absolute healthy and safe environment, will bring our life, to a stop! Our kitchens are full of stuff with which one can make many explosives!!!
When I was young, I often heard this song,
" It is illigal, immoral , or it makes you fat,
It does not really matter what you are aiming at.
If it is something you enjoy , you can be certain that,
it is illegal ,immoral and it makes you fat!"
Consider the number of times, vans full of explosives drive beside me, I am more worried about the smoking of cigarettes by the person sitting next to me, any where I go!
ray sacco
Sep 7th 2010, 18:16
@c.busuttil:
rare and unheard of!?!?!?!?!?! didn't you read any news these last few weeks?! what happened at gharb and at dwejra fireworks factories contradicts all that you are saying. these fireworks were ready. they were not being manufactured when they exploded. another accident involving manufactured fireworks was the patrol boat tragedy. i am talking facts! can you name ONE gas cylinder transport incident? gas cylinder leakage does not increase in danger if combined with other cylinders. gas leaked from a tank is lost to atmospheric air. that is why gas cylinders are transported in open trucks. even if a naked flame is placed on the leaking gas, it does not even explode but burn and cause a flame. an explosion can only be caused if the cylinders are put in a blazing fire causing pressure in the cylinder to increase until it explodes.
C.Busuttil
Sep 7th 2010, 18:42
Don't put words in my mouth that I have not said in this case written, Unheard or rare when transportation is concerned.
The accidents that occured have nothing to do with transportation is that clear or shall I repeated it the accidents that have occured have NOTHING to do with transporting fireworks. The Gharb accident is not related to transportation. It does not take a genius to notice that after such a lengthy travel from one end of Malta to the other end of Gozo with the state of the roads in this country if the explosion was due to defective fireworks, the explosion would have occured much before. Not when parked.
One golden rule of Fireworks is that they should not be tampered with, neither should somebody try to open fireworks made by others... Is it clear now
The AFM boat tragedy has many "unanswered explanations" instead of making conclusions just try to ask some questions here and there, maybe you get your answer. The same goes for the Mosta accident. The authorities are now almost certain what occured, a very unfortunate personal mishap not related to fireworks manufacturing or transport.
C.Busuttil
Sep 7th 2010, 18:47
PS - a gas cylinder in the boot of a private car, as many nowadays do, is very dangerous in case of an accident. Besides a leakage from a gas cylinder can result in an explosion as it can be trigger by a mobile phone
ray sacco
Sep 8th 2010, 15:17
@c.busuttil:
fireworks which are transported are ready made fireworks. now whether they are being moved or parked do not make any difference. so now are you are speculating that these last two tragedies and the patrol boat tragedy were triggered because the fireworks involved were tempered with????????? were you present on the scene to make such allegations???????
so who is really jumping to conclusions here? i am just stating facts: three tragedies where ready made firework was involved! nothing more, nothing less.
regarding gas or fuel, please inform yourself before making any further comments.
ray sacco
Sep 7th 2010, 13:56
this is not a matter of fireworks transported to gozo alone. fireworks are regularly traded and transfered between villages in malta! no police escort can do anything to avoid accidents in this matter. so fireworks transport should be totally prohibited when passing through inhabited areas and roads, fullstop!
C.Busuttil
Sep 7th 2010, 15:51
The same should go for trucks with gas cyclinders since in case of an accident it will be 1000 times more devastating than any fireworks accident!!!!!!!!!
ray sacco
Sep 7th 2010, 16:52
@c.busuttil:
gas cylinders transport is not dangerous as long as the gas remains contained. besides there is no mystery about it, one can see gas and fuel bowsers from far away. but does anyone see fireworks being transported? does anyone knows how, when and where it is transported? how do i know if i am not driving behind a truck loaded with fireworks?
C.Busuttil
Sep 7th 2010, 17:27
It's very rare if not unheard off that fireworks explode while being transported. If it was so with the state of roads of our country we will have an explosion every 20 minutes. Fireworks that are ready do not explode that easily except by being let off in the normal way or if somebody tries to open a sealed one!!!!!
What occured in Gharb has nothing to do with transportation, stop creating false alarms, fireworks when transported are escorted by the police.
PS - A leakage from a gas cyclinder can be deadly especially when combined with other cyclinders. Besides how many people buy their cyclinder and take home in their cars isn't that dangerous in case of an accident!!!!!
ray sacco
Sep 7th 2010, 13:15
and how can gozo channel categorically state such statements when no spot checks are made on heavy vehcles using the ferries? and even if the company is not being used for fireworks transfers between the two islands, how is the fireworks transfered from the factory to the boat? obviously, the vehcles loaded with fireworks pass through inhabited areas and on busy roads! are the police scrutinizing the movements of fireworks? if fireworks enthusiasts want to risk their lives and die for their passion, it's their choice, but for innocent bystanders to get maimed or lose their lives is unacceptable! what is evident is that rules and laws are regularly being broken and putting innocent people at risk! what was a pregnant woman doing at a fireworks factory? i thought that only authorized personell are allowed? so let's hope that the politicians (who are all honorary presidents of some band club for the sake of votes) and the police stop playing with lives they should be protecting!
J.Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 08:47
Can the police make a spot check in Ghadira Bay Mellieha a Quadbike, everyday running with Umbrellas, deckchairs, Concrete Bollards for Umbrellas etccc., running loading and unloading on the beach (on the sand with crowded people) in the middle of this beautiful bay, with Road Licence paid till JULY 09 on the back of this Quadbike. Assuming no Road Licence paid to the detriment of people and Third Parties! If no road licence also NO Insurance paid! Do these several Africans who drive this Quadbike have any Maltese driving licence ? WHERE IS THE SAFETY OR THIS BLUE FLAG SAFETY ON THIS BAY. THIS BAY IS NOT SAFE!!!!!!!
ray sammut
Sep 6th 2010, 21:52
even that poor women of naxxar thought it was safe in her house,how was she to know that a 'passionate fireworks dilettante ' was making them below her residence. nispera li min kien hemm bhalu jahdem id dar jew f'xi garaxx gie f'sensih u waqaf.
c.cefai
Sep 6th 2010, 20:28
Whatever the transport was, they are still lethal and highly dangerous, which by a sheer misfortune can still cause injuries or even death to innocent 3rd parties. These should only and only be manufactured on the spot.
Joe Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 17:23
I need someone in authority to answer these questions for me please. I am not going to mention sea transport in this case. When fireworks are transported from one location to another by trucks or whatever. Are the roads closed for other cars? Are they accompanied by traffic wardens or police like when very long vehicles are used? If the answer for these is no.Then we can be driving behind a truckfull of explosives,andin an instant we can be annihlated to oblivion. No? Please answer
Maurice Caruana
Sep 6th 2010, 16:22
A lot of containers travel by Gozo Channel. Deso somebody inspect these containers. Can they carry any fireworks to Gozo?
Phil Press
Sep 6th 2010, 16:19
"Five truckloads". " On a private launch". A very big Launch I think. !!!
axuereb
Sep 7th 2010, 18:01
I have been pondering that question since the information came out.Either that or the launch made 5 trips! Can anyone involved please clear the matter for us?
censu attard
Sep 6th 2010, 16:18
So the fireworks material was unloaded at Hondoq Bay so to take it to Gharb it had to pass through the village center of Qala,Ghajnsielem,Xewkija,the center of Victoria and to the center of Gharb village and if it didn`t explode it had to pass again through Gharb,Victoria and Xaghra,isn`t it dangerous to pass it through populated and residential areas.
J. J. Borg
Sep 6th 2010, 15:05
Il-pulizija jew suldati li kienu ghassa meta il-murtali tal-Gharb haduhom Ghawdex jistaw jghodduha b'wahda.
robert micallef
Sep 6th 2010, 14:56
Now i feel safer travelling with Gozo Channel....knowing that when there was a captain who protested about unsafe procedures he got suspended and as afar as i know he still is.
Fenech MD
Sep 6th 2010, 14:53
I was at Gozo over the weekend. At about 8am my family and I were going swimming to Hondoq ir-Rummien when a police car, followed by some 6-8 vans were coming up from the bay, and the police car asked us to make way. Later I thought maybe they were carrying the fireworks which arrived early in the morning.
The risk does not involve only the persons who work at these factories, but also other innocent people. Action should be taken, not to stop the fireworks because it is part of the Maltese tradition, but to ensure that the people working in these factories have sound knowledge of the chemistry involved.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 6th 2010, 14:23
I hope not !!!!!.
But these "lethal" bombs have to be transported to Gozo somehow.. How are they transported? During the day through all that traffic or at 0300 hrs in the morning, which is still dangerous anyway? If somebody is listening, which I doubt, can the citizens be told how these bombs are transported through our road and streets??
L Sammut
Sep 6th 2010, 14:04
Issa noqoghdu go bozza so nothing will ever happen to us! So from now on don't cross the road cause a car might run over you.. and don't board a plane cause it might fall and beware of staying home cause your neighbour's gas cylinder might explode... come on!! What about all the fatal accidents that are happening on our roads every year?! I don't think everyone has decided to stop driving because of the number of accidents that happen our roads... Let's be realistic!
Jason Fenech
Sep 6th 2010, 16:41
Unlike fireworks, driving a car, boarding a plane, catching a bus are all a neccessity imposed by our way of living despite the accidents and all. On top of that, any type of accident is usually borne out of recklessness and lack of respect towards one's life and that of others.
I find it hard to believe that someone can't understand such a simple concept and keeps comparing apples and oranges.
The only realistic thing to say in such cases is that some things never change because some people never learn.
ray sacco
Sep 7th 2010, 13:40
@l.sammut:
good reasoning mr.sammut. there is a great difference in crossing the road while a vehcle full of fireworks is passing or boarding a plane loaded with fireworks! if you are a fireworks enthusiast you might go live in a fireworks factory for all i care. but you have no right to put other people's lives in danger! your comment is very irresponsible.
Robert Magro
Sep 6th 2010, 13:58
Li tizgura li l-Gozo Channel ma ggorx splussiv mhux bizzejjed. Il-mistoqsija hi "KIF JIGI ITTRASPORTAT IN-NAR BEJN MALTA U GHAWDEX?" Tafu fuq liema mezzi privati? Ahna ghandna dritt inkunu nafu. Il-pulizija tkun avzata? Hemm permessi? Hemm kontroll? Bhalissa hawn incertezza fost il-poplu li titlob kjarifka mill-partijiet ikkoncernati.
Adrian Catania
Sep 6th 2010, 13:54
Can somebody from the Ghaxaq fireworks factory explain how the fireworks bound for Gozo reached the launch? Did they place them in a container? A van? Were there any police or army personnel escorting? At what time was the trip to the launch organised? And did they pass through particular villages?
d cini
Sep 6th 2010, 13:43
fully agreed with previous comments: how do i know that the truck in front of me in a traffic jam is not loaded with festa explosives? are the authorities waiting for some accident to happen first in order t take precautions? imbad wara kullhadd gharef
s pace
Sep 6th 2010, 13:25
It's not for Gozo Channel to issue such a statement. It is not in a position to know for sure. It is for the factories involved, as only they would know. Then, it is up to the authorities to verify.
It is not for the Gozo Channel to check every car for fireworks, though spot checks would help. It is for the ALE to do investigative, undercover work if necessary, and check what is going in, out and where from the fireworks factories. It is simpler that way.
apgrech
Sep 6th 2010, 13:16
Gozo Channel does not allow fireworks on their ferries but some people even secretly manufacture fireworks in residential areas and i won't be suprised if these same people load the fireworks in their van and use Gozo Channel to transfer them to Gozo.
Having sniffing dogs may be a good idea.
If God forbids an accident happens on a ferry, that will be a catastrophe.
I trust Gozo Channel but don't trust all those who use their services.
Patrick Galea
Sep 6th 2010, 13:09
Well said Adrian Agius. It is high time that manufacturers, regularly licensed, should have an indemnity insurance of no less than a couple of million euro.
eric psaila
Sep 6th 2010, 13:08
Tell us what checks are made?
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 6th 2010, 12:15
I have never witnessed one single vehicle being checked for illegal cargo. The fact that explosives are usually carried on barges does not rule out the possibility that explosives are also transported in vehicles that board the ferry. Only proper checks can rule out this possibility. The Maltese and Gozitans are not renowned for their altruistic behaviour. Surely there could be some irrisponsible people who would not bat an eyelid to transport explosives in vehicles that board the ferry. Could Gozo Channel tell us how many inspections were carried out for the presence of fireworks in vehicles that board the ferry? And another thing, when fireworks are transported from factories to barges and again when they are carried from barges to factories at the other end, I suppose they are carried on trucks or vans and I imagine the trucks and vans use public roads. Are they escorted by the police?
Wayne Hewitt
Sep 6th 2010, 12:01
I never saw Gozo Channel hold searches on cars, vans or trucks, so how can they tell what is transported?
Wayne Hewitt
Sep 6th 2010, 12:00
I never saw Gozo Channel hold searches on cars, vans or trucks, so how can they tell what is transported?
M Vella
Sep 6th 2010, 11:58
Hekk imissu wkoll! Apart from spot checks, the use of special dogs should also be strongly considered...It's true that we might give the impression that Malta is less safe than before but there should be priorities and safety comes first!
Michael Borg
Sep 6th 2010, 11:55
Apart from gozo Channel what about transport on vans on the road , drivers behind them and trough towns and villages !!!!
John J. Galea Axiak
Sep 6th 2010, 11:54
"In light of comments which are appearing, the company states categorically that fireworks are not transported on its vessels, as such material is transported privately by other means not under the control of Gozo Channel," the company said.
It is Prime-Time that the Government of Malta introduces immediately the procedure that all Trucks, Commercial Vehicles, and Containers should be checked! Also spot checks should be done on suspected vehicles using the Gozo Channel services. God forbid an explosion happens!
Pierre André Aquilina
Sep 6th 2010, 11:37
As a daily Malta-Gozo commuter, I appreciate this clarification from Gozo Channel. It does not amount to much, however. I'm sorry, but as long as you do not perform checks, you simply cannot be sure what is being transported in the containers of the scores of trucks that are transported by the Gozo Channel at all times of the day and on a daily basis. So I advise the Gozo Channel not to vouch for situations it is not sure of.
adrian agius
Sep 6th 2010, 11:30
how would they know????
I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY CHECKING ANY TRUCKS ON CONTAINERS GOING UP ON THE SHIPS AND I USE GOZO CHANNEL NEARLY EVERY DAY !!!!!!
Karl Consiglio
Sep 6th 2010, 11:29
But one could transport them on board without the Gozo Ferry knowing because they don't do checks. Correct me if I'm wrong.
w. Cauchi
Sep 6th 2010, 11:29
Gozo channel’s reply poses more questions than answers. Ok Gozo channel is not taking care of the transport to Malta, somebody else is. So what. Whilst i having peacefully my ‘gelat’ at the marina, somebody, just a few meters away, would be loading/unloading tons of explosives on to a barge/launch. Remembering the C-23 patrol boat incident in which 7 lost their lives, anything can happen.
All it takes is one slip on the wet quay and than BAAAANNNGGG. God help us all, including Gozo Channel’s ferries tied up nearby.
M Vella
Sep 6th 2010, 12:02
It seems that they unload somewhere else and not at Mgarr...so if it's the case they considered that safety measure.
What I add is while it is escorted to and from a firework factory which routes are chosen? Is it at the discretion of the driver? Because in this case they should be escorted by traffic police ensuring that no vehicles pass nearby...like when a dignitary or VIP comes to our beloved island. What if yesterday's explosion took place a couple of hours before in the middle of Victoria?
ALBERT FENECH
Sep 6th 2010, 11:10
Fine, Gozo Channel have issued a statement that as far as they can ascertain, no fireworks are carried on their ferries. HOWEVER, how can they ascertain this to be true? Do they x-ray trucks/vans/vehicles before boarding? Do they search them? Do they take the drivers' words for granted that no fireworks are being carried? Knowing the minus element of ethics and morals in this country nothing can be taken for granted and I take Gozo Channel's statement with a pinch - a very small pinch - of salt.
A Gouder
Sep 6th 2010, 11:08
Gozo Channel Limited might have as well stated in its press release that no nuclear weapons, poisonous spiders, or crack cocaine are transported on Gozo Ferries. But then again, how can they be so sure? No one has stated that this is done with the company's blessing. Past episodes have shown that inconsiderate (read criminal) people exist with no qualms as to put people's lives in danger. Shouldn't spot checks be carried out?
joe Curmi
Sep 6th 2010, 11:08
Nobody inspects the contents of vans or trucks prior to boarding, what if some persons abuse the system?????
Stephen Florian
Sep 6th 2010, 10:50
Still, it would be worthwhile to know the established sea routes ,the port of dispatch and port of call, if any ,of such private launches. Safety does not stop at the fireworks factory boundary wall. There are streets and urban areas at stake as well. The dangers are far bigger than we are led to think.
E Gatt
Sep 6th 2010, 10:49
One out of eight fireworks factories exploded this year alone, with tragic loss of life.
Good to hear Gozo Channel's assurance that fireworks are not carried on their vessels.
Fireworks are however transported from point A to point B on public roads. What precautions, if any are possible, are taken for a fireworks factory type of explosion not to happen in the middle of a town or village, or a traffic jam?
m.ellul
Sep 6th 2010, 10:44
positive reaction !
Al. Mifsud
Sep 6th 2010, 10:43
..And how can Gozo Channel be so sure that no explosives have ever been smuggled in on board?
I mean I have never seen any cargo trucks / vans being inspected prior boarding the vessel...
R Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 10:41
From experience the closed trucks and vans are not checked so how can Gozo Channel put out such a categorical statement? Will they be conducting inspections on all non passenger vehicles from now on? Will Gozo Channel guarantee my safety from any kind of explosive material while transporting me across the channel? What is the Government's role in all of this? We have too many questions and are bereft of answers.
S Galea
Sep 6th 2010, 10:39
Basta kulhadd jaqbad u jparla fil-vojt minghajr ma jinforma ruhu!!!