It’s been 19 days since the men, women and children aboard the Sea-Watch 3 and Sea-Eye last set foot on land.

The Maltese coast lies tantalisingly within sight, but it remains forbidden territory for as long as EU governments continue to argue over whose responsibility the asylum seekers are.

Times of Malta visited people stuck at sea as concerns were growing over rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. 

Many of those aboard were too tired, sick or shy to face the camera. A few others were not. Times of Malta photographer Jonathan Borg captured some moments on deck. 

Little Habiba, 1, peers inquisitively into the camera.Little Habiba, 1, peers inquisitively into the camera.

Blue skies and calm waters were a relief to crew members, but conditions are set to deteriorate.Blue skies and calm waters were a relief to crew members, but conditions are set to deteriorate.

Volunteers have been regularly delivering supplies to crew and passengers aboard the ships. On Tuesday, they brought drinking water, couscous, fruit and vegetables.Volunteers have been regularly delivering supplies to crew and passengers aboard the ships. On Tuesday, they brought drinking water, couscous, fruit and vegetables.

'We do not know what is going to happen to us,' one migrant admitted.'We do not know what is going to happen to us,' one migrant admitted.

A foreign journalist snaps a shot. Reporters from media outlets across the globe have flown in to Malta to report on the ongoing saga.A foreign journalist snaps a shot. Reporters from media outlets across the globe have flown in to Malta to report on the ongoing saga.

'We are not bad people. It was no good in Libya, you do not know how they treat us, like animals.''We are not bad people. It was no good in Libya, you do not know how they treat us, like animals.'

Tattered sandals are not the ideal footwear while at sea - but it is all that many aboard have.Tattered sandals are not the ideal footwear while at sea - but it is all that many aboard have.

Filfla in the background as the Sea-Eye, its crew and passengers patiently wait.Filfla in the background as the Sea-Eye, its crew and passengers patiently wait.

The sun sets on the vessels' 18th day stuck at sea.The sun sets on the vessels' 18th day stuck at sea.

 

 

 

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.