Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,235 of 30th April 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies mariners and the general public that dredging and construction work in connection with Malta Freeport - Terminal 2 squaring off, will commence with immediate effect and will be completed by Thursday, 30th April, 2026.

The working area which involves dredging and construction will be carried out within the area A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and the intermediate coastline, as shown in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The vessels engaged in the dredging and construction work will be exhibiting the appropriate lights and shapes in accordance with the requirements of the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) 1972. The vessels engaged in the works are to be given a wide berth.

Some of the works will be carried out by scuba divers who will be displaying the International Code of Signals Flag 'A', while diving is being carried out.

Mariners and vessel operators are to navigate with caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity. They are to co-operate with the contractor on site.

Mariners are to comply with instructions issued on VHF channel 14 by Marsaxlokk VTS and any Enforcement Officers on site.

Chart affected: BA 36

Reference is made to Local Notice to Mariners No. 27 of 2024.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that the replacement of two outer sections of pontoon O in Id-Daħla tal-Imsida, will not be completed within the time as planned. The completion date is therefore being extended until Thursday, 16th May, 2024.

Local Notice to Mariners No. 27 of 2024 is to be amended accordingly.

All the other information mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 27 of 2024 will remain valid.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that several types of investigative surveys will be carried out for the proposed Medusa cable route at Golden Bay – Nearshore.

Weather permitting, the survey is planned to start on Monday, 29th April, 2024 and be completed by Friday, 31st May, 2024, along the route A to B, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A                     35° 56'.072     14° 20'.667      

B                     35° 55'.320     14° 19'.688

The survey vessel will be towing survey equipment, 30m behind, and will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre and will be displaying the appropriate signals in compliance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at sea.  During the survey, the support vessel, will proceed at slow speed.

Mariners are instructed to navigate with caution and to maintain a safe distance of 100m from the survey vessel when it is detected or sighted.

Mariners are also notified to comply with any instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Chart affected: BA 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that Microplastic sampling will be carried out in the Grand Harbour, Valletta. The sampling is scheduled to be carried out on Monday, 6th May, 2024, from 9.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m.

The Microplastic sampling will be carried out along the two lines A to B and C to D, as indicated in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The sampling will consist of a vessel which will be towing a trawl net (manta net) alongside.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution, and at slow speed (no wake) and to give the vessel a wide berth.

They are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 177