A former workhorse of the AFM's maritime squadron, Swift Class patrol boat P24, has arrived in the US and is now being carried overland to San Diego Museum.

The vessel and sister P-23 were donated by the US to the Borg Olivier Government in 1970 and remained in service until a few months ago, patrolling Malta's coastal waters and saving many lives.

Vessels of this type served with US forces in Vietnam. Hundreds were built but Malta's were the last on active service.

P-24 was acquired by a US veterans' association. P-23 has also been retired but it has been retained by the AFM - it was the craft on which seven soldiers and policemen were killed when fireworks being carried on board for disposal exploded near Comino.

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