The master of an Egyptian fishing trawler flying the Malta flag was charged with sailing into Maltese waters with an unseaworthy vessel.

The prosecution is alleging that Ahmed Maylou, 43, did not inform the port authority 24 hours before the Golden Dawn, a Maltese-registered vessel, sailed into Maltese waters.

He also pleaded not guilty to failing to follow the set procedure before entering Grand Harbour and of not having the required navigational maps and notices on July 30.

Mr Maylou is also being charged with failing to keep a log book, being unable to communicate in English and not keeping the trawler in a seaworthy condition.

A vessel would be considered not seaworthy if safety certificates or maps were missing and it was not manned by capable crew.

No record book with information about how the trawler discharged oil was found, there were no garbage discharge documents and no receipts tracing the discharge of garbage or oil.

Defence lawyer Joseph Mizzi objected that his client was arraigned under arrest, pointing out that most of the charges were mainly contraventions. Mr Maylou only became master of the Golden Dawn four months ago and it was the first time he had entered Maltese waters.

Police Inspector Daryl Borg said Mr Maylou was arrested becausehe had no fixed address, pointing out that some of the charges brought against him were punishable with a prison sentence.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri ruled the arrest valid.

Dr Mizzi asked for bail, arguing there were no grounds why his client should escape since he lived on the trawler, which had been impounded by the Maltese authorities. Also, there was no fear that he could tamper with any evidence or approach any witnesses, he added.

Mr Maylou was granted bail against a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €20,000.