Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,266 of 14th June 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the “Pageant of the Seas" event will be held in the Grand Harbour on Saturday, 22nd June, 2024.

In preparation for the event between Friday 14th June 2024 and Monday 17th June 2024, between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., the fountains and the floating front of house will be set-up at Rinella Bay point A. On Tuesday, 18th June, 2024 they will be shifting the fountain to point B and the floating front of house to point C, they will both have a light on them as they will remain in position until they are removed at the end of the event on Saturday, 22nd June, 2024.

On Wednesday, 19th June, 2024 and Thursday, 20th June, 2024, rehearsals within area Y, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), will be held between 7.30 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. hours depending on vessel traffic movements.

On Friday, 21st June, 2024, rehearsals within both areas Y and Z, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), will be held between 7.30 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. depending on vessel traffic movements.

On the day of the actual event, Saturday, 22nd June, 2024, fireworks will be loaded on the pontoons at point A, between 7.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.

The pontoons loaded with fireworks will the be shifted from point A, one to point D and the other to point E, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

All traffic movements between Friday, 14th June, 2024 to Friday, 21st June, 2024 are to be coordinated on VHF channel 12 by Valletta VTS.

Owners of vessels moored in Il-Bajja tar-Rinella are to remove their vessels and the area is to be kept clear from Friday, 21st June, 2024 at 12.01 a.m to Saturday, 22nd June 2024 at 11.59 p.m.

The Grand Harbour will be closed to all traffic on Saturday, 22nd June, 2024 from 8.00 p.m. to 11.00 p,m, while the events are being held, within the area enclosed by the imagery lines joining points J – K, L – M, N – O, P – Q, R – S, T – W and the intermediate coastline as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

During the event, unauthorized vessels will not be allowed within the restricted area.

Mariners are to comply with instructions and directions issued on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, and by the Police, the Armed Forces of Malta and Transport Malta Enforcement units that will be in the area.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, will not be held responsible or liable, in any manner whatsoever, for any damages or expenses incurred by any person as a consequence of this event, including for failing to abide and comply with the above directions.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and the general public that the reinstallation works on the Comino pier at Blue Lagoon is ongoing.

Due to the nature of the works, the use of the Comino Jetty will be temporarily closed between 8.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. to the general public with immediate effect and until further notice. A flat barge with heavy machinery onboard will be alongside the Comino Jetty to assist with the reinstallation of such works.

No commercial vessel is allowed to make use of the Comino – Blue Lagoon jetty during these hours.

The Comino Jetty will however remain available to the general public, between the hours of 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. during all days.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, proceed with caution, and at slow speed (no wake) when navigating close to the above-mentioned pier. They are to co-operate with the contractor on site.

They are also to comply with any instructions given on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by Enforcement Personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 211, 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a Hydrographic (multi-beam) survey will be carried out in St. Paul' Bay and Mellieha Bay.

The multibeam Hydrographic survey will be carried out between Monday, 17th June, 2024 and Friday, 21st June, 2024 and will be held within the area A, B, C, D, E, F, and the intermediate coastline, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The survey will be carried out in all areas of St. Paul's Bay, Mellieha Bay, Salina Bay that are accessible and safe for the survey vessel to manoeuvre.

A survey-support vessel will be used during the survey, therefore a wide berth of 25m is requested. The support vessel will be moving slowly and will display the international code of Signals flag “D" during the survey.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at slow speed. All vessels shall give the above-mentioned survey-support vessel a wide berth and shall cooperate with the survey team.

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.

Charts affected: BA 211, 2537