Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg announced that the Maritime Enforcement Department received the first three RHIBs which carry an investment of almost €500,000 so that it increases its out-reach. This was after Transport Malta contracted five new RHIBs of which the first three have arrived.
Minister Ian Borg said, “This investment not only continues to show how strong and equipped with the latest technology our maritime sector is but also shows how much the government cares and is committed to continuing investing in the worker to provide him with the best tools necessary so that work can be done more comfortably and more safely. Currently, the MED has four assets at its disposal and with the new assets, the fleet will increase to 9 boats. Education at sea has become more important than ever and this is because activity on our seas is increasing and therefore, we need to be responsible both in cases where someone is operating a vessel at sea and also when someone is swimming. These types of boats are most of the time, the choice of professional mariners especially for law enforcement agencies and maritime special operations forces and therefore we felt the need to provide our officers with the same level of tools in order to raise the bar even higher of our country’s maritime sector”.
The new RHIBs will provide MED officers with additional safety and comfort to carry out their duties in an improved environment, giving them the ability to stay out longer at sea. The new assets will enhance the working experience of its officers and enable the MED to carry out and operate in more challenging sea conditions, even at night.
The three new rigid hull inflatable boats are 35ft long, equipped with cuddy cabins, and powered by twin outboard Yamaha 250 HP motors.
According to a statistic, from January to June, the total number of inspections carried out relating to Covid-19 measures amounted to 1155.
