Malta calls navy ship gift ‘junk’

Talk about gratitude. The Government gifted a navy ship worth €400,000 to the Maltese but its military, instead of being grateful, torpedoed the idea.

Personnel from Armed Forces Malta (AFM) described the LÉ Aoife as “past its sell-by date” and said accepting it would allow “other junk to be dumped” at its Mediterranean Sea naval base.

The LE Aoife to be transferred to @Armed_Forces_MT http://t.co/X3K5Pf1BbL #solidarjeta @simoncoveney @AbelaCarmelo pic.twitter.com/iJaNB2eKxe

— Irish Embassy Malta (@IrishEmbMalta) February 19, 2015

Reports of disgruntled military having to accept ‘donated hand-me-down equipment’ surfaced yesterday as the media site Malta Independent online added insult to injury, showing an embarrassing video of the naval ship ploughing into a pontoon in Cork harbour in August 2013.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney had announced this week he was donating the decommissioned vessel to the Maltese for humanitarian missions — primarily to save north African migrants who regularly pass through its waters in flimsy boats seeking a better life in Europe.

The Maltese media revealed AFM personnel had expressed concern about the LÉ Aoife, pointing out it had been built 36 years ago and clocked up enough miles to sail 28 times around the world.

Well if Malta doesn't want her we'll take her! The LE AOife is much loved here in Waterford http://t.co/oBYazR7HvC #lovewaterford

— Waterford In Your Pocket (@WaterfordPocket) February 21, 2015

It said AFM sources had pointed out the vessel had no capabilities to launch a small craft from its stern — essential in operations involving flimsy craft migrants often use for crossings.