EU records show no boats were close by

No Italian trawler was tracked navigating anywhere close to the Simshar when it exploded, the Rural Affairs Ministry said yesterday, casting doubt over the sole survivor's claim.

Simon Bugeja testified that "minutes" after his vessel exploded in early July last year, a blue trawler from Lampedusa - he said he even saw its name and spoke to the crew - sailed some 20 metres away from where the crew were drifting in the sea but ignored their pleas for help.

A ministry spokesman said the Fisheries Department had requested information on all tracking of vessels from the EU's community fleet control agency. The data relayed back did not show any other vessels, other than those identified by Malta's VMS (vessel monitoring system).

The spokesman added that VMSs on board Italian vessels transmitted a signal to Rome's operating centre, which, in turn, had to advise Malta if the vessel entered the island's fishing waters. This had not happened in this situation.

This information tallies with a list, included in the 149-page preliminary inquiry report into the Simshar tragedy, showing there were no known vessels in a three-kilometre radius up to four hours after the explosion.

In his first interview with inquiring lawyer Anne Fenech, while still at Mater Dei Hospital's Burns Unit, Mr Bugeja had said the Italian trawler kept circling them and he had offered the crew €3,000 to save his 11-year-old son Theo.

He reiterated this in a fourth interview, held last month, but refused to reveal the details saying he feared for the safety of his remaining son.

Fisheries Cooperative president Ray Bugeja felt it was unfair to quote what Mr Bugeja had said after such a trauma because he could not have been totally lucid after spending so many days at sea and seeing his father, Karmenu, and his son die.

Mr Bugeja said when contacted that the survivor had told him about this incident soon after he was discharged from hospital but it was the first time he had heard that the Simshar owner had offered the fishermen €3,000 to save Theo, whose body was never found.

"Simon had said a trawler passed close to them but he did not want to make it public because he was scared something would happen to his family. That's what he said. I don't know if it's true or not," he said.

Simon Bugeja insisted yesterday his lawyer had advised him not to talk but he did say he was satisfied the report had overall proved his version of events.

Yet, this was little consolation for the 36-year-old who said he thought about Theo and his father, who die "every moment" of his life.

"I can never be happy... How can you ever forget part of yourself? Irrespective of how right you are proven, you will never forget what you had so close to heart," he said.

In her report, Dr Fenech said she had not come across any evidence that could seriously challenge the basic indications that there had been an explosion, that a fire totally consumed the boat, that everyone ended overboard and that all, except for Mr Bugeja, started to pass away one by one. Neither was there any evidence that there was any foul play involved in the tragedy.

Despite the extensive report, a number of questions remain over what caused the explosion on board, which claimed the lives of three men and the boy.

Asked to comment on the outcome of the report, Ray Bugeja highlighted the need of a basic hands-on course for fishermen to learn how to use safety equipment when out at sea.

"We (the cooperative) have been asking for such a course for years," he said.

The report put a spotlight on the "cavalier attitude" many fishermen had towards safety at sea. Many may not even know how to use the safety equipment on board their vessels.

Dr Fenech points a finger at Mr Bugeja, saying he was unable to activate the distress signals on two safety devices, which would have saved his crew.

Ray Bugeja, who has been a fisherman for 25 years, said three-quarters of fishermen were illiterate and needed a basic tailor-made course. "They have the experience but need a little push to learn the basics, like how to open a life raft and how to send a distress signal."

He said the Malta Maritime Authority should take responsibility to ensure fishermen were able to operate safety equipment. "A lot of regulations about safety equipment were introduced before Malta's EU accession, including the need to have a medicine box, which includes morphine. But these are useless unless the fishermen are trained to use them," he said.

"I was never taken in a pool to show me how to turn over a life raft when it overturns. I had to go abroad to learn that," he said.

Mr Bugeja also defended himself against alleged lack of cooperation mentioned in the report. He said Dr Fenech had requested fishermen's contact details and he had directed her to the Fisheries Department, which was in possession of the information.