Upgrade of facilities and equipment at Maritime Squadron

The Maritime Squadron has upgraded its support facilities and equipment as part of a €1.7 million project by the Armed Forces of Malta, aimed at replacing outdated equipment currently being used to transfer fuel on board Maltese maritime patrol vessels.

Speaking at the inauguration of the project at the Haywharf base in Floriana, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said the government was investing heavily in national security.

The new fire safety and support equipment includes a subterranean storage silo, a pumping unit, fire extinguishing tools, personal protective gear and new vehicles.

The main objective of this project is to improve the bunkering capability of the Maritime Squadron Base of the AFM where the maritime patrol craft are moored and where fuel and load equipment and material is bunkered.

Hundar Emergency Solutions were entrusted with providing all the necessary firefighting gear for personnel. Such equipment includes firefighting uniforms that comply with the latest safety regulations and come complete with specially-designed helmets, footwear, breathing apparatus and foam-extinguishing agent to be used mainly on the vessels.

This project was part financed by the External Borders Fund, with 75 per cent from EU funds and 25 per cent from national funds.