The Malta Sea Ranger Unit said that Saturday ”was by far the worst day for our Rangers monitoring the conservation areas in Malta, several near misses of divers at the surface were witnessed and no Enforcement was available.

”Our Rangers could just document and hold their breaths, hoping that no one would get hit and alert the divers by using emergency whistles,” The Unit said.

The Rangers expressed the urgent need for ”more maritime enforcement in Conservation Areas. Let’s not wait for someone to die.”

The Rangers warned that ”out of all the 15 Conservation Areas around the wrecks in Maltese waters, we are seeing that the Xatt l-Ahmar in Gozo and Cirkewwa in Malta are the areas most prone to illegalities.”

”Vessels are not only cutting illegally across these areas at high speed, they are also crossing between the shore and Special Marker Buoys which is of grave safety concern. The speed in itself so close to shore is strictly prohibited everywhere,” said the Ranger Unit.

It noted that ”Transport Malta Enforcement seemingly only has one vessel and during afternoons our Rangers have been informed that they are at work in the harbours, unable to assist.”

The Ranger Unit also said that an additional issue is that several vessels are also ”breaking the law in terms of clear markings.”

The Malta Sea Ranger Unit warned that ”without enforcement at sea by the authorities, such will not be fought efficiently. No proper markings means that vessels easier get away with illegalities.”

”We call on the authorities to increase maritime enforcement urgently. Let’s not wait for someone to die,” The Malta Sea Ranger Unit concluded.

Photos: MRU

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