Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,195 of 20th February 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all mariners and the general public, that the Conventions on the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs) are to be complied with at all times.

Jet skis and other personal watercraft (PWC) whether being used for personal use or for commercial purposes; shall at all times, comply fully with all the Sections of Part B – Steering and Sailing Rules.

Jet skis and other personal watercraft (PWC) users are reminded of their obligation to comply with Part C – Lights and Shapes, of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and where these regulations cannot be complied with, jet skis and other personal watercraft (PWC) may ONLY be operated between sunrise and sunset, in the interest of safety of navigation.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that the 31st March Regatta will be held in the Grand Harbour. Sinkers and marker buoys will be laid as follows:

1. On Friday, 22nd March, 2024, three (3) yellow marker buoys with flashing lights will be secured to sinkers that will be laid in the following positions:

2. On Saturday, 23rd March, 2024 as from 8.00 a.m., virtual line/wire rope with floats will be established/laid in the following positions.

(i) a wire rope with floats will be laid from point (A) ashore on Barriera Wharf to buoy B off Il-Ponta ta' Sant'Anġlu

(ii) a wire rope with floats will be laid from buoy B off Il-Ponta ta' Sant'Anġlu to point C north of Il-Ponta tal-Isla

(iii) a wire rope with floats will be laid from buoy C north of Il-Ponta tal-Isla to point D west of Il-Ponta tal-Isla opposite the entrance to Id-Daħla tal-Franċiżi Bastion

(iv)  a virtual line will be established from point (D) west of Il-Ponta tal-Isla opposite the entrance to Id-Daħla tal-Franċiżi Bastion to point E on Parlatorio Wharf

(v)  a wire rope with floats will be laid from bollard 8 at Ras Ħanżir 2 point F to bollard 26 at Deep Water Quay point G, as shown on chart  found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

3. The wire ropes, floats and buoys mentioned in 2 above will be removed on the completion of the Regatta at approximately 6.00 p.m. on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024.

4. The sinkers and marker buoys mentioned in 1 above will also be removed on the completion of the Regatta at approximately 6.00 p.m. on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024.

5. The port hand lateral mark placed at the following coordinates below il-Ponta ta' L-Isla will be removed for the event.

Masters of all vessels are notified that on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till about 6.00 p.m., incoming vessels will not be allowed to proceed to any berth southwest of the imaginary line joining point A on Barriera Wharf and Fortizza Sant'Anġlu Flagstaff. Vessels in 'Il-Marsa' sea area will not be allowed to proceed beyond the line F to G indicated in 2(v) above after 8.00 a.m. No vessel will be allowed near the finishing line except those involved in the races. No movements of vessels will be allowed inside the Grand Harbour, except by special permission. All vessels are to keep a minimum distance of 5m away from the lines and floats mentioned in 2(ii), 2(iii), 2(iv) and 2(v).

Incoming vessels will not be allowed to proceed to any berth southwest of the imaginary line which is 150m northeast of the line A to B mention in 2(i) above. No vessel will be allowed to stay within this 150m area.

The area bounded by the imaginary lines between the points A to B, B to C, C to D, D to E (corner of Parlatorio Wharf), F to G and the intermediate coastline is to be kept clear on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m., from all vessels except those authorised by the activity organisers.

Masters of all vessels are also warned that the wire ropes and floats may cause a physical obstruction and consequently they are to navigate with extreme caution. Caution is also to be exercised when in the vicinity of such wire ropes and floats when these are being laid or removed.

Mariners are to comply with any instructions issued by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) on VHF Channel 12 and enforcement personnel in the area.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta notifies all mariners, owners of vessels and divers, that filming activities will take place near the Blue Hole at Dwejra, Gozo.

The filming will be held on Wednesday, 6th, and Thursday, 7th March, 2024, from 9.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m., on both days.

All mariners, owners of vessels and divers are advised that entry into the area formed by joining the points A, B, C, D, and the intermediate coastline (as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) is prohibited on the abovementioned dates and time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution at slow speed and give a wide berth when in the vicinity they are to keep out of the abovementioned area.

Mariners and vessel operators are to comply with instructions and directions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Charts affected: BA 2537