Notices to Mariners published in Govt. Gazette 21,287 of 19th July 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that firework displays in connection with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, St Paul's Bay, will be let off from a barge and pontoons moored in the position as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The pontoons will be moored in position on Friday, 26th July, 2024, and will be removed on Sunday, 28th July, 2024. When in position there will be a rope between the pontoons.

​The barge will be moored in position on Thursday, 25th July, 2024, and will be removed Monday, 29th July, 2024.

During night time, the barge and pontoons will carry lights.

The layout of the pontoons is as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The dates and times when fireworks will be let off are as follows:

On Friday, 26th July, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.05 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., and from 9.30 p.m. till 10.15 p.m.;

On Saturday, 27th July, 2024 from 8.00 a.m. till 8.30 a.m., from 11.45 a.m. till 12.15 p.m., from 6.00 p.m. till 6.30 p.m., and from 9.45 p.m. till 11.15 p.m.;

On Sunday, 28th July, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., from 7.00 p.m. till 8.00 p.m., and from 9.00 p.m. till 10.30 p.m.

The fireworks will be loaded onto a tugboat from the jetty at Fekruna l/o Xemxija on Friday, 26th July, 2024, at about 7.00 a.m., and transported to the barge and pontoons.

Mariners are informed that during the loading of the fireworks from the jetties onto the tugboat, the jetties cannot be used, and no vessel will be allowed to remain alongside until all fireworks have been removed.

All vessels and bathers are warned to keep well clear of the barge and pontoons and maintain a safe distance of at least 200 metres during the dates and times of the displays.

Vessels moored within 200 metres from the barge are to be removed and kept clear during the days and times of the display.

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.

Chart affected: BA 211

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that on Thursday, 1st August, 2024, a Statue of St Peter will be loaded on a vessel from the breakwater at St George's Bay, Birżebbuġa (point A as shown on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) and transported from there to a location close to the Birżebbuġa waterpolo pitch (point B as shown on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)),

The ceremony will commence at 7.15 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 8.15 p.m.

During the trip, several other vessels are expected to accompany the vessel carrying the statue.

Mariners are to navigate with caution at slow speed and to keep a sharp lookout when in the vicinity to the above-mentioned events and when sighted they are to give the vessel carrying the statue a wide berth.

They are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16, by Marsaxlokk VTS and the organisers.

Chart affected: BA 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that on Friday 2nd August 2024, a Statue of St Peter will be loaded on a vessel from the breakwater at St George's Bay, Birċebbuġa (point A as shown on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) and transported from there to a location close to the Birżebbuġa waterpolo pitch (point B as shown on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)),

The ceremony will commence at 7.15 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 8.15 p.m.

During the trip, several other vessels are expected to accompany the vessel carrying the statue.

Mariners are to navigate with caution at slow speed and to keep a sharp lookout when in the vicinity to the above-mentioned events and when sighted they are to give the vessel carrying the statue a wide berth.

They are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16, by Marsaxlokk VTS and the organisers.

Chart affected: BA 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies mariners that the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club shall be holding the St Peter's Regatta 2024 between Saturday, 27th July, 2024 and Sunday, 28th July, 2024.

Races shall take place from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.  (local time) on all days.

​Class races shall take place over two (2) adjacent upwind/downwind courses, centred in the selected sailing area depending on the prevailing weather conditions. See chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) showing areas A, B and C.

The courses, around which the competitors shall have to sail, shall be defined by orange inflatable marks (waypoints) of about 1.5 meters in height.

Races will take place, only when no merchant vessel traffic is scheduled to enter or to depart, from the Malta Freeport Terminals.

Masters of all craft, not directly involved in any of these events, are asked to keep clear of the racing areas, especially at each of the turning marks. All mariners are to observe any instructions that may be given by the race organisers safety crafts and on VHF Channels 14 and/or 16 by Marsaxlokk VTS.

Charts affected: BA 36, 2538

This notice is to be read in conjunction with:

Notice to Mariners No. 9 of 2023 - LIFE Arċipelagu Garnija Project – Restriction areas around Malta, and

Notice to Mariners No. 16 of 2024 - Restricted Area between Il-Ponta tal-Aħrax and Daħlet ix-Xilep

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, reminds all operators, masters, and crew of commercial vessels of the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Safety of Commercial Vessels dealing with noise and loud music onboard such commercial vessels. These provisions have been established to safeguard the safety of navigation and operations of the vessel by ensuring that all communications onboard are not impaired at any time; and also, to take into consideration the social and environmental obligations by ensuring that no nuisance is caused especially in areas which are noise sensitive. These provisions are to be complied with at all times.

Furthermore, all operators, masters and crew are hereby notified that, when organising boat parties, a No Objection to enter any port, harbour or bay shall be obtained from Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS), prior to the event taking place.

The No Objection has to be applied for, not less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled activity and the following conditions shall be observed:

1. The required permits to hold the activity must be in hand and submitted to the Authority;

2. The names and contact numbers of the Master and of a second contact person, (on board) shall be provided to the Authority;

3. Noise¹ and music levels shall be controlled so that they do not cause any disturbance and nuisance to other persons on vessels in the vicinity or persons ashore. Sound levels shall not impair in any way, communications to and from the vessel. To be complied with at all times;

4. Music must be stopped by 11.00 p.m.

​Further restrictions may apply to locations in close proximity to residential or environmentally sensitive areas.

Operators, masters, and crew are to keep watch on VHF Channel 12 and cooperate with the enforcement officers in the area and with the Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) and comply with all instructions and directions given.

Enforcement action will be taken accordingly in the event of any non-compliance.

¹Noise: is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing, it shall, amongst others, include horns, sirens, whistles, rackets, shouting, jeering, drums and other sources.

Local Notice to Mariners No. 23 of 2023 of Transport Malta is hereby CANCELLED.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that as part of an EU LIFE project, aimed at protecting the Yelkouan Shearwaters (Garnija), seabirds that breed on cliffs, a restricted area is established. One such breeding area is located at Rdum tal-Madonna on the cliffs between Il-Ponta tal-Aħrax and Daħlet ix-Xilep.

The habitat and breeding ground of ten per cent (10%) of the world's population of Yelkouan Shearwaters, is located at Rdum tal-Madonna. The area has been designated as a 'Special Protection Area' (SPA) and is now of International Importance and Interest in the conservation of the species and of other seabirds. Light and noise seriously disturb the birds with the danger of them deserting the colony.

The buffer zone to the SPA (about 1.1 nautical mile from shore) lies between the following imaginary points and the intermediate coastline, as shown on chart 1 found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

In view of the above Masters of all vessels and craft are to adhere to the following conduct while transiting the area all year round.

No lights, other than lights prescribed in the Convention on the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) shall be exhibited. No loud noise from any vessel, other than the sound signals as prescribed in the Collision Regulations (COLREGs), shall be permitted when navigating in or near the buffer zone.

​perators of pleasure cruises holding organised 'boat parties' are obliged to follow the above guidelines. All lights, not related to the navigation of the vessel, shall be extinguished when transiting the indicated area. Loud noise and music is not permitted in the SPA.

The 'letting off' of petards and other fireworks from sea is strictly prohibited in or near the buffer zone to the SPA - all year round.

The buffer zone to the SPA is a 'no stopping zone' for all vessels other than vessels carrying out fishing activities.

Fishing activities in the area using powerful bright lights (lampara, etc.) are prohibited in line with Art.4 of the Fishery Regulations (SL425.01) and Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management.

Further to the above, the Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that as part of the LIFE Arċipelagu Garnija project, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has established a number of restrictions, in line with:

the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42);

the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L 549.44);

the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Marine Policy Framework Regulations (S.L. 549.62).

All vessels, other than vessels engaged in fishing and vessels engaged in recreational diving operations, are prohibited from anchoring in the area enclosed by the imaginary line X-Y and the intermediate coastline shown hatched red on the chart 2 found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt). All vessels operating in this area shall not exceed the maximum permitted speed of 3 knots.

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Notice to Mariners No. 10 of 2023 of Transport Malta is hereby CANCELLED.

Charts affected: BA 211A, 2538, 2537, 194