Three Maltese men were rescued 12 miles off St Thomas Bay this morning after their dinghy started taking in water.

The AFM said it received a call for assistance at 11 a.m. A helicopter was scrambled to locate the 14-foot dinghy. The men, aged 72, 41 and 28 years, signalled their position by using a flare. 

A patrol boat was immediately diverted to the position to render assistance.

A private boat which was closer to the dinghy took the three men on board until they were transferred to the patrol boat and landed at Marsaxlokk.

The AFM said this case highlighted the importance of having appropriate emergency signalling equipment, such as flares, aboard all craft to significantly reduce the amount of time required to deliver assistance.

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