Update 3: Missing fisherman found alive
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Video: AFM Press Office, Sgt Pepe Airwing Rescuer
The Zabbar fisherman who was found alive today after missing at sea since Wednesday has spoken to his wife.
"He is tired after two days out at sea on his own but happy to be reunited with his family," his nephew told timesofmalta.com.
Although he showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion, his condition is not serious, the family said.
A father of three and grandfather of four, Mario Axiaq, 58, was hoisted onto an Italian Military Mission helicopter at about noon. He was spotted at around 11 am some 45 nautical miles north east of Malta by an AFM helicopter that was being operated by a joint Italian-Maltese crew.
The AFM had initially instructed two other vessels in the area to investigate reports of the missing boat. As a result, the Panama registered vessel Ramah informed the army that a man found on board a boat was the Maltese fisherman they were looking for and that he was alive and well.
They took him on their vessel from where he was then hoisted to the helicopter.
On arrival at the helipad at St Luke's Hospital, Mr Axiaq was put onto a stretcher and into an ambulance for transfer to Mater Dei, where his family, including his 10 siblings, were waiting.
Mr Axiaq, who is a butcher, sailed out in his 13-foot boat at 5am from St Thomas Bay on Wednesday morning. The family raised the alarm at about 6pm when he failed to turn up.
The Armed Forces of Malta immediately started a search, which was suspended during the night and restarted at sunrise.
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ken camilleri
Sep 22nd 2012, 06:38
This is positive news but after all said and done I have the following points I would like to raise;
This vessel had no safety equipment whatsoever, no vhf radio, no flares, gps, Personal locator beacon or anything and this man was venturing in 45NM of waters on a 13ft boat.
Don't you think it is highly irresponsible to say the least.
Please note when an italian mission is engaged it is the maltese gov who pays for the cost. This stunt costed the government tens of thousands just because this irresponsible man could give a toss to buy a few hundred euros worth of safety equipment. Now that he is alive I'd make him pay for it.
Mario Pandolfino
Sep 21st 2012, 22:39
Mario Axiaq b'din esperjenza kerha jaf aktar issa xi jhossu l'emegranti illegal meta jkunu mitlufa bejn sema u ilma .Grazzi ghal AFM u l-apparat li ghandhom issa hafna hajjiet qed jigu salvati.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 21st 2012, 20:59
Well done to all the people who helped in this rescue. Never forget safety equipment on a boat, it helps to save your life.
To all small boat owners, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE SEA CURRENTS AND WINDS AROUND MALTA.
About 35 years ago, I was asked to navigate on a fishing trip as the people concerned knew nothing about navigation. I turned up at Kalkara 03.00 hours and the others laughed at me when I turned up with , a magnetic compas, paper and pencil and a pair of dividers. We took the NE direction and I estimated we were doing 7 knots. The two others told me that there isno need to account for the sea currents but when I notices the eddies around the sufri tal lampuki I estimated that the currents were in excess pf one and a half knot. so I kept that in mind. We sailed NE for more than five hours well beyond Hurds bank and we threw in all four Konzijiet ghal Mazzol.
We let the Knozijiet in the water for bout 6 hours and to my amaisments when we brought them in, every hook had a Mazzola on it with the unfortunate occurance that all the Mazzol were pregnant and they all aborted the young ones as soon as the others pulled them just below the surface of the water. What a pity I thought. I cunted over 300 Mazzola in the Kurtuni of the "28 ft LUzzu"
When we started on our return trip I took a direction allowing for the currrent drift which was towards greece. The others opposed this and insisted that we return on SW direction. We travelled for 8 hours and could not see land. I plotted everything on the sheet of paper and ever 10 minutes I used my didvder and magnetic compass to estimate our return route as compared with our sailing out route. My estimate was that he sea current during the out trip and retuen trip had made us drift to the east by about 2o miles and we had overshot Marsaxlokk and were somewhere towards Libya . After an hour one engine stopped and another failed its magneto. We were now on one diesel engine ( tan nofs).
This democracy at sea does not work as every time I insisted that we change direction they went for a vote and they won every time. When the two engines stopped, I looked at them and said, " NOw will you let me do it my way." and both of them said, " AAAAHHHHH do what the hell you like!" and went to sleep but they informed me not to throw away Il qoxra tal hobs sakemm naslu l-art and not before , that was a real lesson for me for normally I threw away the hard crust of a burnt Maltese loaf,
On my own on the rudder on the back of an open luzzu I was sacared as according to my estimate we were close to libya and I had to make a 180 degree change of direction. Night had fallen and we were in the early hours of the morning. I turned the rudder and the luzzu obeyed and then I stopped turning to take a direction which through dead reconning I would make it to Malta. I slowed the lussu to four knots to save on fuel .More than six hours later and twilight I saw some Omma tad dawl on the horison about three degrees to port and so I corrected for it to follow the Omma tad dawl. I woke the others up as their eyes wereyounger than mine to confirm what I saw aon the horison. The young one agreed that it was light on the horison. I proceeded to follow the light and then ahead of me I recognised Filfla Island. I swang the luzzu to Marsaxlokk and then to Marsaccala and Xaghara ta Haz Zabbar and int the Grand harbour which by now it nust have been two in the afternooon. Just before we reached Bighi the theird engine stopped withut fuel.
By brothers saw all this and one of them towed us in to Berth the Luzzu.
It was common sense and a knowledge of plotting a graph that helped us get back.
I went home but I did notice the others walk up the stairs to the Front closed door of Kalkara Main church and hesitated for a mintute making the sign of the cross and kissing the wooden door of the church.
Well, I did thethanksgiving my way in silence and I went to speep it off.
One lesson I learn, never throw away any food which you do not like when you are in the middle of nowhere .
In these days do take the elelctronic devises that are now available, it will help the Army and others find you if you for some reason anke hass hazin will stop you from coming back to Malta under your own steam. And another thing , slow down your speed for slowing down could easily treble your range. Feul consumption is a non linear function and so whatch your speed, it may just give you enough range to make it back.
S Azzopardi
Sep 21st 2012, 22:11
Prof Pule'
Thank you for sharing this story which certainly has quite a few good learning points.
You are welcome on board any time !
Phil Zammit
Sep 22nd 2012, 05:23
Mr. Carmel
Thank you for sharing a great story with a sound message everyone should heed.
S.M. Cuschieri
Sep 21st 2012, 20:28
I was working today and I noticed the 212 leaving the Air Wing base a couple of times and I prayed that this would not end in another fatality...God must have heard my prayers because a while later Mr. Axiaq was found safe and sound....Thank god and thank god for people like the AFM and the IMM.
Daniel Dimech
Sep 21st 2012, 20:09
proset lil kull minn ta sehemu
Joe Morana
Sep 21st 2012, 18:32
Good news. Well done to AFM and all those who in one way or another made this rescue possible
Claire Busuttil
Sep 21st 2012, 18:21
OMG I am so very happy for this man and all his loved ones.....!!
Jeff Zammit
Sep 21st 2012, 18:10
Good job. Just one question. Why was the patient transferred to St.Lukes' helipad instead of Mater Dei helipad?
Doreen Attard
Sep 21st 2012, 19:22
Hi Jeff, where are you living ? At Mater Dei there is no helipad anymore, they removed it. I mean it's still there physically but it's been put out of action.
Peter Murray
Sep 21st 2012, 19:43
Dear Doreen,
Jeff I presume lives in Malta as I do but why do you presume that everyone has the knowledge you possess-as when did the government make any announcement that Mater Dei's hlelipad was not operational even though" its still there physically"?The question is only easy when you know the answer.
Roberto Cassar
Sep 21st 2012, 21:41
Dear Doreen
The only reason the Helo didn't land directly at Mater Dei is that the helipad is small for the 212 apart from the fact that there is the construction wall beside which leaves no space for the main rotor to swing around.The helipad also is operational , only for small helos ( Smaller than the alouette).
Vince Piscopo
Sep 21st 2012, 23:25
Uwejja state of the art with an inactive helipad?!!!!
Roy Muscat
Sep 21st 2012, 17:27
Good job guys ;)))
Mark Busuttil
Sep 21st 2012, 16:52
Prosit tassew.
Louis Craus
Sep 21st 2012, 15:50
Many THANKS to all those involved in this rescue. Thanks God .
Robert Q Ccamilleri
Sep 21st 2012, 15:42
Well done to all those involved in the rescue. May God bless you all.
P Sciberras
Sep 21st 2012, 15:28
Probablly this part time fisherman ventured far out enough and lost site of Malta, and have no knowledge of navigation, then he must have ventured the opposite direction. One question though, how come a signal was picked near Dingli cliffs relating to his position ?
Mr raynond ciancio
Sep 21st 2012, 15:50
paul it could have been something simple like engine failure and the wind done the rest.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Sep 21st 2012, 15:54
A radio signal travels nearly unabated in the absence of obstructions with losses to the radiation power being only attributed to climatic moisture. Extend that to the geometry of the maltese Islands and you get your answer. The location of transmitter on it's own gives only half the picture the other half relates to the three dimensional direction into which it is transmitting.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Sep 21st 2012, 16:05
This is a simple explanation to a very complex world. The world of radio wave propagation.
Ronnie Callus
Sep 21st 2012, 16:22
Whatever was the cause, all should thanks Our Lady of Graces of Zabbar because this for sure was a grace from her. We should not waste time trying to find the cause or who was first or last to find him but thanks all involved foreigners and Maltese who did their best to pick him. May he get his strength back and join his family and rejoice with them.
neville zammit
Sep 21st 2012, 15:19
We should also thank the crew on that panama ship who saw him first, right.
Godfrey Smith
Sep 21st 2012, 16:08
According to this report it was the AFM helicopter who spotted him first!!
Frank Borg
Sep 21st 2012, 14:58
Well done once again to the AFM, they are heroes who work day in day out in silence, another life saved, you must be very proud! Keep it up boys!
Mr leo attard
Sep 21st 2012, 14:45
thank god
vincent a galea
Sep 21st 2012, 14:37
DEO GRATIAS......
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Sep 21st 2012, 14:32
When we read intrinsically positive news ,all rejoice. WELL DONE indeed,BUT the lesson has to be communicated yet again. We reach a certain age and we feel well and up to whatever. However we fail to grasp that adventureous excursions like this one meant that basic precautions required to be taken, such as a means of realiable equipment to communicate, in this case a satellite cellular or communicative equipment on board the boat. Hence the congratulations should go to the members of Mr Axiaq Family who raised the alarm, otherwise Mr Axiaq might have easily been encircling the spirit world. LET US LIVE LIFE WITH SENSE & SENSIBILITY.
Lawrence Camilleri
Sep 21st 2012, 15:09
Dr MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,, what about our men in the AFM? Don't they deserve praise ? Why forget their achievement?
Michael Bonnici
Sep 21st 2012, 14:31
Besides the thanks to AFM personnel courage and ability, we should in such circumstances thank Our Lady of Graces (this peson hailed from Zabbar) which without any doubt She intervened for his safety.
Praise be to God who hears our prayers.
Ramon Casha
Sep 21st 2012, 14:27
Great news, and WELL DONE to the AFM and everyone else involved in the search and eventual recovery of Mr. Axiaq!!
News like this makes me want to go and hug someone.
James Tyrrell
Sep 21st 2012, 14:26
Wow! That is great news to start off the weekend. How did he get so far off shore? Well done to the AFM and I hope you and the family have a great party this weekend Mario.
Alfred Grech
Sep 21st 2012, 14:25
Prosit and thank you AFM.
Mr raynond ciancio
Sep 21st 2012, 14:13
well thanks god this fisherman was found alive and well but a message goes to all divers, seemingly the helipad at mater dei is out of action so in the case of urgent rescue treatment keep it in mind that the helicopter will land at the helipad at St Luke's Hospital first and then you will have to be taken to mater dei by ambulance, and if you are still alive you will get treatment in the recompression chamber, prosit goes to the authorities for our amazing new hospital.
Mr raynond ciancio
Sep 21st 2012, 15:47
by the way, a good WELL DONE goes to the afm that are always there for us and do their best to help us out in our moment of difficulty. well done lads keep it up
Anthony A. Mifsud
Sep 21st 2012, 14:04
Wldon. To the SAR crews
On the hinde side, why we build a state of the art General Hospital and we have to land at St Luks? A yes there are a number of cranes building the bunkers for the Oncologie Hospital
The good thing is that the man was found and retrieved from his boat.
Ninu
A Camilleri
Sep 21st 2012, 13:48
All's well that ends well, but the gentleman should realise that a small open boat is not suitable to venture 45 nautical miles (83km) out at sea, though part it may have been due to drifting.
Dave Mifsud
Sep 21st 2012, 13:40
but...isn't there a helipad at Mater Dei?....correct me if I'm wrong
Thomas Borg
Sep 21st 2012, 13:46
They cannot use it since there are cranes close by.
K Zammit
Sep 21st 2012, 13:52
The area is being used to build the a new wing (treatment of cancer)
S.M. Cuschieri
Sep 21st 2012, 20:21
At the moment no.
C. Bonnici
Sep 21st 2012, 13:39
BIG well done to all rescuers ! ! And to the authorities and/or producers: you should consider making some of this available to the Maltese population. Produce films and/or documentaries about it. WELL DONE EVERYONE!
vella m
Sep 21st 2012, 13:39
AFM,we are so proud of you,may God bless your families.
Yves Cali
Sep 21st 2012, 13:37
Is the helipad at Mater Dei out of use?
Albert Farrugia
Sep 21st 2012, 13:36
Well done to Italo-Maltese cooperation. Next time there is a round of verbal attack on Italy or the Italian Navy because of some dispute regarding illegal immigrants or because of some single Italian talking nonsense, please remember the fruitful cooperation Malta and Italy have been having for years in Search and Rescue, as well as the immense cultural capital Malta has inherited from her larger neighbour.
Ian Glazier
Sep 21st 2012, 13:33
Well done to the Search and Rescue.
Good to know these people are around when you need them.
Hope the fisherman recovers and goes back to his fishing.
V Caruana
Sep 21st 2012, 13:31
Well done AFM. Should be proud of yourself.
Alfred Cassar
Sep 21st 2012, 13:29
What a sigh of relief. For all those who feel neglected on this Island, this is clear proof that the State cares for each and every citizen. It is also high time that these enthusiasts, whenever the are to venture outside the easy reach of land, to carry equipment that points out to their position. The Authorities shoud enforce this.
Anthony Tabone
Sep 21st 2012, 13:22
We now know what it means to have a professional trained army. Well done AFM and all of us should spare a thought for these people who risk their lives to save others. Good news also for Mr Axiaq's family who must have been through a very difficult time since Wednesday. Well done to all involved.
Alex Dalli
Sep 21st 2012, 13:18
I makes me so proud have played a small part in the Search and Rescue System of the AFM. Reading success stories is always a pleasure. Bravo to all involed. Major Alexander Dalli AFM ret'd, BA Hons
S.M. Cuschieri
Sep 21st 2012, 20:24
No Sir. By no means did you play a small part in the SAR system of the AFM. You played a very large part to both the SAR and the rest of the army. Thank you, in fact. For being a most exemplary Officer :)
Franco Attard Trevisan
Sep 21st 2012, 13:18
great job guys!!! well done!
Giovanni Rizzo
Sep 21st 2012, 13:16
KEMM GHANDNA AFM KAPACI.PROSIT U GRAZZI TA' HAJJA LI SALVAJTU,
carmel muscat
Sep 21st 2012, 13:11
prosit lil kull min ha sehem biex instab qawwi u shih grazzi Mulej - - - - - - - - - - - -
David Delmar
Sep 21st 2012, 13:07
Keep it up AFM!!!!! Very good news indeed!!!! Thanks God tht all ends well!!
Silvio Mizzi
Sep 21st 2012, 13:04
well done afm , all fishermans use it vhf radio . Do not use it mobile on sea ? Turn on vhf radio on channel 12 valletta port in case of emergency.
VV Bartolo
Sep 21st 2012, 12:59
thank you God!
Martin Saliba
Sep 21st 2012, 21:11
Yes , thats fine. Thank your super hero and dont bother thanking the real people involved.
N. Attard
Sep 21st 2012, 12:53
Wish all similar news would end this way. Well done AFM
Clint Calleja
Sep 21st 2012, 12:51
Well done for the search! Glad that he is ok.
Joseph N. Attard
Sep 21st 2012, 12:50
Good news indeed. But please, let this serve as a lesson to all those who potentially go out to sea unprepared. This gentleman should thank his lucky stars that he came out of it alive. We should also appreciate the good work put in by the AFM and others.
Lawrence Camilleri
Sep 21st 2012, 13:10
At least take flares with them and many bottles of water if they want to venture far out in small craft. Thank God and our AFM he made it and hope he will publicly give good advice to others. His family must be so happy today having lost hope probably of ever seeing him alive.
Joseph Baldacchino
Sep 21st 2012, 12:48
Well done to the AFM search and rescue team.
Claudia Spiteri
Sep 21st 2012, 12:45
Thank God. Prosit AFM.
j brincat
Sep 21st 2012, 12:43
Good new and well done all involved!
(jb)
Philip Grech
Sep 21st 2012, 12:43
Ejja. Ahbar tajba fl-ahhar avolja ma nafux.
Emanuel J. Felici
Sep 21st 2012, 12:42
Thank God for that. I wish him and his family well.
Jeremy Cordina
Sep 21st 2012, 12:40
Good News. Well done AFM.Hope Mr.Axiaq is ok.
Andre Grech
Sep 21st 2012, 12:37
Wow. What great news. Prosit AFM you did a great job.
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 21st 2012, 12:36
Jolly good show. The best of luck for Mr Axiaq. Hope he appreciates that it's not very wise to venture so far out in a small open boat.
G Zammit
Sep 21st 2012, 12:33
great news
carmel calleja
Sep 21st 2012, 12:24
good news.
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