A patrol boat that was a workhorse of the Maritime Squadron of the AFM is now the centre of attention for American Vietnam War veterans at the Festival of Sail in San Diego.
Restoration work has been completed on the former P24, a Swift class patrol boat which was donated second hand to Malta in 1971 and was returned to the United States last year - one of the last surviving vessels of the class. Her 'sister', although retired, has been retained at the AFM Maritime base at Haywharf.
Abc News reported how the patrol boat's return was especially meaningful for a group of Vietnam War veterans.
Virgil Erwin said many veterans were passionate about bringing the Swift Boat back home because of the emotional connection they had to it, adding it brought "back memories of invincible youth."
Veteran Dave Bradley, who was also stationed aboard a Swift Boat, said the visit to the boat gave him some closure as he moves forward.
"We came back and nobody really appreciated what we went through and what we did … did for them," said Bradley.