Three people saved after sailing boat capsizes

john grech

Oct 29th 2012, 16:24

5) Every country is obliged to respond to people when they are in distress if they are in that country's jurisdiction or sphere of control. This is an international obligation that everyone must obey.

john grech

Oct 29th 2012, 16:21

4) Yesterday's weather was not that bad. It shows how little experience people have if they think that weather like yesterday was enough to keep boats from going out. What happened was that a sudden squall came up and perhaps it caught those people by surprise... or maybe they were inexperienced. But the fact is that the conditions were not that bad.

john grech

Oct 29th 2012, 16:16

1) It is the law of the sea that any body who sees another person in distress in the sea is legally bound to offer whatever assistance they can. 2) If you were involved in an accident walking in the Lakes District, you too have a right to get emergency assistance paid by UK taxpayers. Same as a car accident in any country.

C Muscat

Oct 29th 2012, 08:37

To those mentioning taxes, I am paying taxes as well. One has to bear in mind that the main income of the island is tourism; from which industry we are getting a livelihood fpor many thousands. These many thousands pay their taxes because their is the industry called tourism.

paul camilleri

Oct 29th 2012, 07:48

while i must congratulate AFM on their rescue , we must not forget that we are paying them through taxes, who in his right mind takes a sailing boat out in such high winds??? these swiss should pay for the rescue.

James Caruana

Oct 28th 2012, 23:18

Very good! I was just forgetting for what I'm paying taxes.

Jay Oatmon

Oct 28th 2012, 20:11

to James Dewar

Yes you are correct I am cynical - boat safety in Malta is very poor. There have been recent cases of fishermen/boaters rescued by the AFM from being adrift in small boats with no flares, compass or communication equipment aboard etc. The sea can be unforgiving to those who take unnecessary risks - the foolhardy need to be more aware of the risks and be prepared.

Jay Oatmon

Oct 28th 2012, 18:05

Presumably they all wore life jackets, or was this another ill planned boat trip by foolish amateurs?

Louis Baldacchino

Oct 28th 2012, 18:01

Well done AFM

Russell B. Farrugia

Oct 28th 2012, 17:55

Thanks again to AFM! We LOVE you! ;)