Whilst it is all very noble to be involved in saving the lives of refugees who make such a hazardous crossing of the open seas, one must also bear in mind that not all are bona fide "refugees"...indeed many are simply economic refugees, would-be illegal-immigrants who have paid a fortune to smugglers in order that they can achieve a better standard of life in Europe.
It is those smugglers who are causing this sad trade...and are to be held in utter contempt.
Refugees are those, by definition, fleeing a war-zone: Many of those crossing the Med are not.

Quite frankly, I am not sure that Ship Spotting is the place to be making any political statement.
There are many more sites, more attuned to the problems of the world without infringing upon a website that offers the simple pleasure of spotting ships, as an escape from the harshness of life. I for one would vote to keep it that way.

I am impressed by the humanitarian job ICGV Tyr is performing. I try to monitor her on my computer: but it seems that she has closed her AIS for public view. But on Web cams from Valetta, I did see her docked as late as today. I would like to see European nations make a more heavy effort in such Med. refugee life saving missions!!!

The ICGV TYR is doing an impressive job at sea in the central Meditteranean rescuing refugees from death by drowning, she is always at sea save for a few days resting and taking on supplies and bunkers in Valletta harbour.It looks like it is costing thousands if not millions of Euros to keep her on station at sea, so whoevers is paying deserves the Nobel prize for humanity work, somebody should nominate him/heror the organization involved for the prize.

I am not guite sure who is paying for ICGV Tyrs participating in the mission to save refugees in the Med. Some highly ranked Norwegian told me that he did not believe that the Nation of Iceland could afford to pay, but had chartered this vessel out. It is my opinion that the mission to save refugees in the Med. is very important.

Yes Trgve the ICGV TYR is participating in the Frontex programme patrolling the sea between North Africa and Southern Europe The Icelandic nation must be commended for participating in this humanitarian exercise even though Iceland is so far off from the Med, whist large navies from various European nations are absent from the current Frontex programme. Thank you Iceland.

The ICGV TYR is not the patrol vessel donated to Malta, the TYR is an Icelandic Coast Guard vessel.The vessel that is to be given to the AFM is the Irish navy AOIFE built in 1980 of 1019 tonnes.

She is from the Icelandic Patrol Forces/Coast Guard, on mission for EU in the Mediterranian service (Frontex?). Has participated in rescuing refugees in the Med.

Is she the one recently given to Malta from the Irish government?