Paquebot, the word in French translates literally to “Ship, Cruise, Liner" . Letters posted at sea carries this "Paquebot" cancellations.
My cover was posted on board the Virtu Ferries catamaran MV Jean De La Valette. The vessel operates daily Malta-Sicily voyages, and it has been in operation since 2010. It is named after Jean de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of St. John who is known for his role during the Great Siege of 1565 and for founding Malta's capital city Valletta in 1566. The catamaran is among the fastest vessels in the world.
On 7 November 2011, MaltaPost installed a letterbox on board the vessel, and mail posted on board should have additional "PAQUEBOT" and/or "MAILED ON BOARD M/V JEAN DE LA VALETTE" markings, which are applied at the Central Mail Room in Marsa once mail from the vessel is being sorted.
Some interesting things about usage of stamps in Paquebot covers,
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) created procedures for a variety of international postal regulations. Accordingly, mail posted aboard a ship in international waters was entitled to be franked with stamps of, and in accordance with the postal rates of the country of the ship’s registry. However, if the ship is in territorial waters (the part of the sea within a stated distance of the shore of a state), the UPU rules change, as follows: “Items posted on-board a ship during the stay at the two terminal points of the voyage or at any intermediate port of call must be prepaid by means of postage stamps and according to the tariff of the country in whose waters the ship is lying.”
An interesting cover to my collection and my First one from Malta. Now I have to look for a picture post card from Malta to complete my Malta collection.
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