Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,277 of 28th June 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies Mariners that firework displays will be let off in Id-Daħla ta' Tas-Sliema, Marsamxett Harbour.

Aerial fireworks will be let off from Manoel Island at points A and B, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on the following dates and times:

On Saturday, 6th July, 2024, from 9.30 p.m. till 11.30 p.m.,

On Sunday, 7th July, 2024, from 7.00 p.m. till 10.00 p.m. 

Ground fireworks will be let off from Ix-Xatt ta' tas-Sliema along the line X to Y, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt​), on the following dates and times:

On Saturday, 6th July, 2024, from 11.00 p.m., till 1.00 a.m. on Sunday, 7th July, 2024

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

A         35° 54'.325     14° 30'.255

B         35° 54'.325     14° 30'.282

X         35° 54'.521     14° 30'.215

Y         35° 54'.529     14° 30'.252

In view of the above, mariners are informed that navigation within 200 meters from points A and B, and 50 meters from points X and Y, in Marsamxett Harbour will be prohibited on the mentioned dates and times.

All craft moored within the indicated areas (as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) are to be removed on the above-mentioned dates and times of the fireworks displays.

Transport Malta will accept no liability whatsoever for any damage caused by the firework displays to any vessel and her ancillary equipment, whether such vessel and her ancillary equipment are left within the 200m safety zone, or outside such safety zone, from the point from which the fireworks are let off.

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

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies Mariners that firework displays will be let off from the foreshore in Sliema Creek, centred in points A and B and form point C on the roof of the band club, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

The aerial fireworks display will take place from Manoel Island, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on the following dates and times:

From point A

On Saturday, 13th July, 2024, from 9.00 a.m. till 9.30 a.m., from noon till 12.30 p.m. from 6.00 p.m. till 7.00 p.m., and from 9.30 p.m. till 11.30 p.m.,

On Sunday, 14th July, 2024, from 9.00 a.m. till 9.30 a.m., from 7.00 p.m. till 8.00 p.m., and from 8.30 p.m. till 10.30 p.m.

Small fireworks will also be let off from point B (on the sand near the bridge and from point C (on the roof of the band club), as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on the following date and time:

From point B (on the sand near the bridge)

On Monday, 8th July, 2024, from 7.00 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. ,

On Friday, 12th July, 2024, from 11.00 p.m. till 11.59 p.m., and

On Sunday, 14th July, 2024, from noon till 12.30 p.m.

From point C (on the roof of the band club)

On Friday, 12th July, 2024, from 11.00 p.m. till 11.59 p.m.,

On Sunday, 14th July, 2024, from noon till 2.00 p.m., and from 9.30 p.m. till 10.30 p.m.

There will also be a ground firework display from point B (on the sand near the bridge) on Sunday, 14th July, 2024, from 00.01 a.m. till 1.00 a.m.

In view of the above, mariners are informed that navigation within 200 meters from the above-mentioned point A in Marsamxett Harbour will be prohibited during the time of the fireworks displays from point A.

All craft moored within 200m from points A and 50m from points B and C (as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) are to be removed on the above-mentioned dates and times of the fireworks displays.

Transport Malta will accept no liability whatsoever for any damage caused by the firework displays to any vessel and her ancillary equipment, whether such vessel and her ancillary equipment are left within the indicated area, or outside such area.

All mariners are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement officers on site.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, reminds mariners, that every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision (S.L.234.20).

In the International Code of Signals, the single letter 'A' denotes 'I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed'.

All vessels, including vessels less than 12 meters in length shall, when carrying out diving operations, exhibit a rigid replica of the International Code Flag 'A' not less than 1 metre in height. Flag image can be found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt). Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility (S.L.234.20).

Mariners are also reminded that 'No person shall cause, suffer or permit any mechanically driven small ship to proceed at a speed in excess of ten knots:

a) inside any harbour; or

b) in any place within 300 metres of the foreshore of any sandy beach; or

c) in any place within 200 metres of any other part of the foreshore (coast)' (S.L.499.52).

Divers and diving vessels engaged in diving operations shall at all times always exhibit the 'A' flag when divers are down.

All mariners are reminded that any other flag such as the Red flag with white diagonal line, which is not endorsed by the International Code of Signals also denotes the presence of a diver and to ensure that a safe distance and safe speed are maintained at all times. Flag image can be found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

In addition, SMBs – Surface Marker Buoy or DSMBs – Delayed Surface Marker Buoy signals, may also be used during operations. These buoys are generally red, orange or yellow. These buoys may feature SOLAS reflective tape for better visibility. Similar to the International Code of Signals, the presence of these buoys denotes 'I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed'. Buoys image can be found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Local Notice to Mariners No. 3 of 2023 is hereby cancelled.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies Mariners that Under 18 regatta races will be held in Rinella Bay, Kalkara, the Grand Harbour.

The regatta races will be held on Saturday, 13th July, 2024, from 1.00 p.m. till 6.00 p.m.

Four (4) buoys will be laid in positions A, B, C and D, as indicated on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), to delineate the race area.

The buoys will be laid on Saturday, 13th July, 2024, from noon. No vessel will be allowed to enter the designated area unless by special permission issued by Transport Malta. The buoys will be removed at the end of the races.

The positions of the buoys will be as follows:

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

A                     35° 53'.845     14° 31'.355

B                     35° 53'.656     14° 31'.614

C                     35° 53'.612     14° 31'.565

D                     35° 53'.800     14° 31'.306

There will also be training sessions, within the same area, between Monday, 1st July, 2024 and Friday, 12th July, 2024, between 4.00 p.m. and sunset daily. During the training sessions no buoys will be laid.

Any vessel which is within the designated area, which includes all Rinella Bay, must be removed daily from Monday, 1st July, 2024 to Friday, 12th July, 2024, between 4.00 p.m. and sunset. They are also to be removed on Saturday, 13th July, 2024, from noon till 6.00 p.m.  No vessel will be allowed to enter the area on the above-mentioned dates and times.

All mariners 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