Europeans sleep soundly, the Americans are here!
(BRUSSELS2) For lack of available Europeans, it is the amphibious transport ship of the US navy, theUSS San Antonio (from its nickname, LPD-17) which intervened in the Mediterranean, to recover refugees in distress who were drifting aboard the dinghi south of Malta (60 miles from the island). The 128 people - claiming to be Somalis - were then transferred to a Maltese patrol vessel (the P-52). And as the US Navy kindly points out, it's at the request of the Maltese government.
« Distressed persons wave after being transferred from the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) to Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P52. San Antonio provided food, water, medical attention, and temporary shelter to the rescued. San Antonio rescued 128 men adrift in an inflatable raft after responding to a call by the Maltese Government. » Operation which was not easy by a rough sea and a force 6 wind (sailors will understand ;-).
The dinghi had actually been spotted by a Maltese force helicopter on Wednesday (October 16), drifting about 75 miles offshore. The alert given to the coordination center of the island, it is the P61 which first goes to the scene. Given the weather, a merchant ship diverted to offer a " migrant protection”, until help arrives. Finally, given the state of the sea, it was the American ship which approached bringing the refugees back to a calmer area to hand them over to the Maltese today at noon.
Comments : congratulations to the US Navy. The solidarity of seafarers played a role. But it will be very difficult for the Europeans to continue giving lessons to the world if they are unable to do basic "Search and Rescue" so close to their coasts, having to call on the Americans. Power is not measured only by the number of inhabitants, during the Euro, by fine speeches but by the ability to combine words with action. By reacting quickly! Malta would be entitled today to activate the solidarity clause of the Lisbon Treaty, which has been talked about so much, and which is not really applicable, the implementing text still circulating in the meanders of the capitals!
