http://pcf45.com/patrol/afm/afm.html#detainees 

Since the early part of 1971, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in the Mediterranean have used two former US Swift Boats to successfully accomplish the exact same tasks as those which were performed by their US counterparts in South East Asia. These Maltese Swifts are still on active duty today, performing routine patrols in cooperation with Italian and north African authorities to search for and interdict contraband and illegal aliens moving from the northern coast of Africa through Malta to the coasts of southern Europe. In addition, they are used extensively for harbor security tasks in the many water ways of this tri-island nation, being the critical "first-on-the-scene" vessels during rescue at sea operations near the coastline, dangerous colateral functions such as disposal of un-exploded ordinance and explosives, and even at ceremonial events such as "standing in" to represent Royal Navy destroyer escorts in the historical re-enactment convoy of "Operation Pedestal" commemorating the relief of Malta from the Nazi blockade sixty plus years ago during World War II.

AFM Patrol Craft Papa 23

AFM Patrol Craft Papa 24

The vigilant sentinels of a peaceful nation

Participating as escorts for ceremonial occasions

Searching and towing and protecting

Taking in detainees for questioning and processing View videos of the Armed Forces of Malta detaining and processing illegal immigrants {But first pause the main page music using the "||" button at the top of the page}

Making rescues of a drowning swimmer or a grateful stranded German Shepard

Conducting joint exercises with allied nations

Keeping current with weapons usage and maintenance skills

Some things change but still remain the same

Whether in calm or rough Seas

Both boats and sailors keep smiling

Taking time out for a spot of tea

After many years of faithful operation, the 12V71's were deserving of a major overhaul

It had been thirty plus years since the AFM Swifts first entered service in Malta

USN Swift Turnover Ceremony April 5,1971

Early task as a harbor pilot boat

Papa 23 suffered extensive explosive damage but arose from the ashes to serve on And the Maritime Squadron sailors remembered their fallen shipmates

As part of the reunions of Swift sailors from both nations held in March of 2003, "Operation Radio Free Swift" was conducted during the activities in Norfolk, USA and the Haywarf Maritime Squadron Base in Malta. Amateur radio stations at both locations operated simultaneously to "spread the word" of these remarkable little vessels over a large portion of the world: from Iceland in the north to Tasmania in the south, and from Japan in the western Pacific to countries in the middle east.

Sunday, March 23, 2003

Special Event Radio Station Honours Swift Patrol Boats The Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and amateur radio operators of the Malta Amateur Radio League are operating a Special Event Radio Station "9H9SWT", in conjunction with the US Swift Boat Sailors Association (SBSA). They are celebrating the first commissioning of Swift class patrol boats in South East Asia and the 30-plus years of service by boats of this type by the AFM. The AFM operates the last examples of Swift Boats still on active duty anywhere in the world. The Special Radio Event Station is transmitting from the home base of the Malta Swifts in Hay Wharf at the same time as the SBSA Special Event Station "N4S" operates from the Sheraton Waterside Hotel, location of the SBSA reunion in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. The aim of both stations is to provide an opportunity for interested radio amateurs to "visit on the air" and "participate in amateur radio" with members of both the AFM and the SBSA, as they share their interesting personal experiences on board these very first special warfare craft to be deployed by the US Navy and the AFM. A reunion for members of the former Malta Land Force (MLF) and ex-AFM servicemen was held yesterday as part of the event. The activities have been locally sponsored by Camline Internet Services Ltd., Datastream, Fabian Enterprises Ltd, and Compleet IS Ltd, who provided Internet connectivity, computer and radio hardware for this station.