Lodestar-Way

On Oct 2, 2020, Malta’s Armed Forces were towing a distressed vessel that had previously been assisted and monitored by the 'Ambra'. The organisation Alarm Phone received a distress call from 38 migrants onboard the distressed vessel in the night of Oct 1. The 'Ambra', enroute from Annaba to Gabes, diverted to the scene and spent around 12 hours monitoring the situation until an AFM boat was spotted. The 'Ambra' reported back to Alarm Phone, saying the AFM had failed to repair the engine and began to tow the boat northwards to an unspecified destination. The 'Ambra' left the scene shortly after the AFM showed up. On at least one occasion, the Armed Forces of Malta attempted to push a migrant boat back towards Libya, and on another occasion attempted to push a boat with migrants in the direction of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The efforts of Alarm Phone to contact the Malta Rescue Coordination centre were unsuccessful.

General cargo vessel Ambra suffered an engine failure off Istanbul on Nov 16 2012, presumably in or near Bosphorus en route from Black sea to Benghazi. Tugs were called in for assistance, vessel was towed through straits and either anchored or docked for repairs. Vessel left Istanbul and resumed voyage on Nov 17. Maritime Bulletin http://www.odin.tc