Clarinets piped the opening notes to Gianluca Bezzina’s Tomorrow as the European Maritime Day 2013 kicked off yesterday morning at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

The programme of events included a live simulation of the containment and skimming of an oil spill by the Pollution and Incident Response Directorate and the Armed Forces of Malta off Boiler Wharf, Senglea.

The Rapid Deployment Platoon of the AFM Maritime Squadron set up a stand to display the full battle load used by the team of 20 when dealing with non-compliant vessels.

The full load carried by a soldier can weigh up to 20 kilograms and includes a Kevlar helmet, bullet proof vest, gas mask and 5.56 millimetre rifles.

The Maritime Institute within the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology also had a stand promoting its full-time course, through which one can qualify as Officer of the Watch.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Growth Edward Zammit Lewis referred to the sea as a “treasure” which the Maltese islands are endowed with.

He said that the European Maritime Day brought together all European member states and neighbouring countries with the aim of discussing and promoting different ideas of mutual benefit from a maritime perspective.

The hosting of the European Maritime Day in Malta helped facilitate high level discus-sions regarding the local development of a National Integration Maritime Strategy, Dr Zammit Lewis explained.

Training and education were crucial for a successful maritime policy.

He added that it was the Government’s wish to set up a reputable maritime academy.