The Maritime Squadron’s first ever patrol craft embarked on its final voyage today.

P23, donated by the US in 1971, was in active service up to 2011. Today, it assumed her new role as gate guardian at Haywharf Base in Floriana.

Lowered into the water for the first time in four years, P23 was towed from her temporary storage location at Sa Maison to her final berth ashore adjacent to the gate at Floriana.

P23 will now be restored to display condition and serve as a proud memorial to all men and women who have served within the ranks of the Maritime Squadron.

It will also serve as a more poignant reminder of the five soldiers and two policemen who died serving aboard the craft on September 7, 1984. The memorial to these individuals will be relocated to a location next to the P23.

The P23’s sister-ship, P24, was donated to the San Diego Maritime Museum where she has been restored and is used as a living exhibit to illustrate the work of these boats during the Vietnam War.

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