AFM treats bathers to a search and rescue show

The loud, pounding sound of helicopter blades drowned out the mundane chatter on the beach as the aircraft approached the Sliema front yesterday morning.

Like a scene from a movie, bathers and strollers put their hands over their eyes to block out the sun as they looked into the distance to understand where the sound was coming from.

Then, as the helicopter approached the shore, it hovered above a boat, whipping up violent white ripples. As the blades spun loudly, divers were lowered into the sea.

What was going on? Was someone in trouble? Was a movie being filmed? What was actually going on was that the Armed Forces of Malta were carrying out a search and rescue training operation in collaboration with the Italian Military Mission.

But, of course, not everyone knew this and Times of Malta received a call saying that “something is happening in Sliema”. The concerned reader was informed that all was under control.

The search and rescue simulation also involved an armed forces boat. At one point a flare was let off and divers were then lowered towards the sea from the helicopter and the ‘stranded’ person lifted to safety.

Spectators, many armed with cameras, lined the promenade to enjoy the unusual action-packed scene that came with the comfort of knowing that everyone was fine since no one actually needed rescuing… not yesterday, at least.