Notices to Mariners published in Govt. Gazette 21,294 of 2nd August 2024

of 2024 - re Designated Restricted Areas – 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners, owners of vessels and the general public that further to Local Notice to Mariners Nos 33 and 46 of 2024 regarding Designated Restricted Areas – 2024, the following area has also been established as a designated restricted area to navigation:

S) In Il-Qolla l-Bajda, the area joining the points S1, S2, S3, S4, and the intermediate coastline, as shown on chart S found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

This designated restricted area shall be in place with immediate effect until Monday, 30th September, 2024.

All the information and restrictions mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners Nos 33 and 46 of 2024 will also apply to this area.

Position is referred to WGS 84 DATUM.

Chart affected: BA 2537

suspended

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the Malta (O) NAVTEX service is temporarily suspended.

While every effort is being made to resume transmitting NAVTEX messages as soon as possible, during the period of no transmission, Malta Navigational Warnings will be promulgated by voice, on radio, as follows:

Malta Vessel Traffic Service (Malta VTS) on VHF channel 16 at 6.03 a.m., 10.03 a.m., 4.03 p.m. and 9.03 p.m. (UTC) daily.

The Tunisia (T) NAVTEX messages are not being affected and are transmitting regularly.

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.

Operators 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 are 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 Regulation 4 of the Fishery Regulations (SL425.01) and Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea.

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 in 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. 16 of 2024 of Transport Malta is hereby CANCELLED.

Charts Affected: BA 211A, 2538, 2537, 194.