Malta Island, June 4^th, 2004.

Nos trois stagiaires algériens attentifs.

A strong wind blew throughout all last night.

When we walk down Stella Maris Street towards the sea we realise that it would be difficult to work. Together with Godwin, the engineer of the Malta Maritime Authority, we drive to a vantage point close to Marsaxlokk Bay and after just a short glance we knew that it would be impossible to sail to Gnejna Bay.

	Travail d'équipe pour remonter le magnetomètre.

Adlane, Djamal, and Souad, our three Algerian students, come on board at the same time as us and we decide to try out the magnetometer just outside the port, in the lee of the wind. A small zone was chosen so as to demonstrate the equipment to the attentive students.

A warning for strong winds was picked up on the VHF at 1000 confirming our decision not to travel north.

After about an hour of operating the magnetometer we retrieved the fish and decided to set up some alternative equipment. To work in better conditions we went into the harbour and worked alongside the quay. Whilst Hervé Blanchet put together the new equipment we walked to Marsaxlokk to take a look at the traditional boats of Malta.

L'oeil des barques de pêche.

	les bateaux de pêche de Marsaxlokk.

We learn by phone that all operations at Torri L-Abjad have also been cancelled. The north west wind created a large swell in the bay making it impossible to work.