Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,301 of 16th August 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that in addition to the permanent speed limit buoys, special marker buoys will be placed around the Maltese Islands to delineate the 200 and 300 metre speed restriction zones (10 knots and 5 knots) from the shore. The placement of the buoys is seasonal, from June to October but may still be in place after this date.

Special Mark Buoys 1.5 metres in diameter, fitted with a light flashing yellow 1 every 4 seconds 'Fl.Y.4s (Jun-Oct)' and a 2 nautical miles range, shall be placed in the following positions:

Further to the above yellow cylindrical buoys which are 0.9 metres in diameter, flashing yellow 1 every 4 seconds 'Fl.Y.4s (Jun-Oct)' and having a 2 nautical miles range, will be placed in the following positions:

The following buoys placed at Mġarr ix-Xini – Gozo, Blue Lagoon – Comino, Mellieħa – off the beach, Il-Gzejjer North and Xemxija inner, delineate a 5 knots maximum speed limit.

Buoys indicate the speed that should never be exceeded, and in any case, mariners are always reminded to proceed at a safe speed subject to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Mariners are further reminded that it is prohibited to moor any vessel to any of the above buoys and any other buoy owned by the Transport Malta and that the speed restriction is in place all year round even without the buoys in place. The deployment and the removal of the buoys may be delayed in the event of unexpected circumstances.

Charts affected: BA 36, 177, 211A, 211B, 2537, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a Geophysical survey will be carried out on the Maltese Continental Shelf but outside Maltese Territorial Waters.

The survey will be carried out by the vessel Fugro Mercator within the areas formed by joining the following points:

Area 1

Area 2

The survey will start on Sunday, 18th August, 2024, and is scheduled to be completed by Wednesday, 18th September, 2024.

​The survey will be carried out using a multibeam echo sounder and a sub-bottom profiler which will make the Fugro Mercator restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Mariners and operators of sea craft are advised to keep a sharp lookout and proceed with caution while navigating in the above area. They are to give the Fugro Mercator a wide berth of at least 500m.

Moreover, they are requested to comply with instructions given by Malta VTS on VHF channel 69.

Charts affected: BA 2124, 2123,194

​Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM.