On Saturday, 10 June 2023, approximately 50 volunteers from iGEN and Atlam Sub Aqua Club carried out a coastal and seabed cleanup at Fekruna Wharf in Xemxija. The event was organized to mark World Ocean Day and replaced an initial plan to operate at Manoel Island following last-minute access permit restrictions.
The operation began at 08:45 with the arrival of EFRU emergency services, which provided on-site safety and medical support. Atlam Sub Aqua Club established a coordination point to monitor diver activity, while iGEN supplied compressed air tanks. Participants were assigned to diving, snorkeling, and land-based teams.
Additional assistance was provided by Raniero’s Adventures and representatives of Internet Vikings, Aspire Global, Betsson, William Hill/Mr Green, and Betclic.
Collection and Site Management
Divers retrieved debris from the seabed and transferred it to a waste container positioned on the quayside. Shore crews simultaneously cleared the adjacent headland and Fekruna Beach. The combined effort filled the designated skip with recovered material.
Weather conditions remained overcast throughout the day, resulting in cooler temperatures compared to the previous year’s event. A parking permit allocation issue for emergency vehicles was resolved through coordination with LESA officials. Event details were confirmed by the participating organizations.