Naval patrol vessel P62 arrives in Malta

The AFM P62, formerly known as LÉ Aoife, arrived in Malta this morning. The patrol vessel has been donated by the Irish government.

The vessel arrived at Xatt it-Tiben after a week sailing through rough seas. The vessel left Cork last week.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and Chief commander of AFM Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi welcomed the 41 AFM members, who made up the crew of the vessel, along with an Irish official.

The Maltese crew carried out a number of repair works to prepare the vessel for its first voyage bearing Maltese banners.

“P62 will help in bridging a gap in Malta’s naval capacity pending our future acquisition of a new offshore patrol vessel,” Abela said, adding that it will be used while repair works are carried out on the P61 and until a new vessel can be bought by AFM.

A statement by the ministry added that the new vessel would be possible thanks to a €38 million investment, which was co-financed by EU funds.