AFM rescue three from sinking dinghy

The Armed Forces of Malta rescued three men from a sinking dinghy after receiving a distress call from them yesterday morning.

The three Maltese men, aged 72, 41 and 28, used a signal flare to indicate their position. A helicopter was scrambled to locate them and they were picked up by a private boat some 12 nautical miles off St Thomas Bay in Marsascala.

They were then taken by an AFM boat to Marsaxlokk.

The three men needed no medical assistance.

This case highlights the importance of having appropriate emergency signalling means – such as flares – aboard all craft as they can significantly reduce the amount of time required to deliver assistance in such cases, the AFM said in a statement.