Notices to Mariners published in Govt. Gazette 21,288 of 23rd July 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that fireworks will be let off from barges moored off Bighi Point.

Barges position:

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

P          35°53'.669      14°31'.200

Y         35°53'.629      14°31'.255

Z          35°53'.678      14°31'.317

The barges will be left in position during the night and will be lit.

Two barges will be towed from their shipyards on Tuesday, 30th July, 2024, and moored at points P and Z, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

On Wednesday, 31st July, 2024, fireworks will be let off from these two barges from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., and from 7.45 p.m. till 8.30 p.m.

The other barge will be towed from its shipyard on Monday 5th August, 2024, and moored at point Y, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Fireworks will then be let off from the three barges as follows:

On Tuesday, 6th August, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., and from 8.30 p.m. till 8.45 p.m.,

On Wednesday, 7th August, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., and from 8.30 p.m. till 8.45 p.m.,

On Thursday, 8th August, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., and from 9.00 p.m. till 9.45 p.m.,

On Friday, 9th August, 2024, from 10.00 a.m. till 10.30 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m., from 7.00 p.m. till 7.30 p.m., and from 10.00 p.m. till 11.15 p.m.,

On Saturday, 10th August, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.15 a.m., from noon till 12.15 p.m. and from 7.15 p.m. till 11.00 p.m.

The three barges will be towed back to their respective shipyards on Sunday, 11th August, 2024, or Monday, 12th August, 2024.

A wide berth of 200 meters is requested from the position of the barges on the days indicated above as the barges might be loaded with fireworks.

The barges shall exhibit the appropriate signals for a vessel at anchor in compliance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. (Colregs). When loaded with fireworks they shall exhibit the International Code of Signals flag 'Bravo' by day, and an all-round red light by night.

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 navigate with caution and at slow speed when in the vicinity. They are to cooperate with the organisers. Instructions and directions given on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and any enforcement personnel are to be complied with.

Chart affected: BA 177