Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,307 of 30th August 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and operators of vessels, that yellow marker buoys with flashing light (1 every 5 seconds) and sinkers will be laid at Ċirkewwa between Ras il-Qammieħ and Il-Ponta taċ-Ċirkewwa.

The laying operation will take place on any days between Monday, 2nd September, 2024 and Monday, 9th September, 2024.

The marker buoys and sinkers will be laid in the following positions as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

B         35° 58'.236     014° 18'.881

C         35° 58'.343     014° 18'.474

D         35° 58'.587     014° 18'.658

E          35° 58'.769     014° 18'.795

F          35° 59'.052     014° 19'.009

The laying operation will be carried out with the use of crane loaded on a vessel. The operation will also be assisted by divers, who will be displaying the International Code of Signals Flag 'A', while the operation is being carried out.

The vessel carrying out the operation will be restricted in manoeuvrability.

A safety zone of 200m from the given points is to be kept clear while the laying operation is being carried out.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution at slow speed and give a wide berth when in the vicinity, and are to cooperate with the contractor on site.

They are to comply with instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Chart affected: BA 211

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that firework displays will be let off from 2 barges, moored at least 200m off Il-Ponta ta' Bighi, centered on positions P and Y, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

The firework displays will be let off on the following dates and times:

On Wednesday, 4th September, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.20 a.m., from noon till 12.20 p.m., and from 8.45 p.m. till 9.15 p.m.;

On Thursday, 5th September, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.20 a.m., from noon till 12.20 p.m., and from 8.30 p.m. till 9.00 p.m.;

On Friday, 6th September, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.20 a.m., from noon till 12.20 p.m., and from 9.45 p.m. till 10.30 p.m.;

On Saturday, 7th September, 2024, from 8.30 a.m. till 9.30 a.m., from noon till 12.20 p.m., from 6.00 p.m. till 7.00 p.m., and from 9.45 p.m. till 11.30 p.m.;

On Sunday, 8th September, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 8.20 a.m., from 10.45 a.m. till 11.15 a.m., from noon till 12.20 p.m., and from 7.00 p.m. till 9.30 p.m.;

On Monday, 2nd September, 2024, barges will be shifted from their respective shipyard to positions P and Y from where the fireworks will be let off. The barges will be left in position during the night and therefore they will have lights on them.

The fireworks will be loaded onto a barge at It-Toqba tal-Birgu and shifted to be loaded on the 2 barges on Tuesday, 3rd, Wednesday, 4th, Friday, 6th, and Sunday, 7th September, 2024, the shifting of the fireworks will take place at about 6.00 a.m. or 6.30 a.m.

The barges will them be removed from the moored position on Monday, 9th September, 2024.

If due to weather conditions the fireworks cannot be let off on Sunday, 8th September, 2024, another attempt will be made on Monday, 9th September, 2024 instead and therefore the barges will be removed from their location on Tuesday, 10th September, 2024.

A wide berth of 200 meters is requested from the barges on these days as the barges will be loaded with fireworks.

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

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers at Il-Fossa in Marsamxett Harbour, within the area shown in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The clean-up will be held on Saturday, 7th September, 2024, from 8.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m.

The divers will be exhibiting the international code of Signals Flag 'A'.

Mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout and navigate with extreme caution and at slow speed when in the vicinity, on the stipulated date and time.

They are to cooperate with the organisers and to comply with any instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 211

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a Chinese Cakes fireworks display will be held from the foreshore at Manoel Island in Id-Daħla ta' Tas-Sliema on Sunday, 8th September, 2024, starting at 9.30 p.m. for not more than 10 minutes. The display will be centred at Point A (as shown in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) in the approximate following position:

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

A         35° 54'.316     014° 30'.266

In view of the above, mariners are advised to keep 60m away from point A, on the abovementioned date and time.

Any boats berthed within the area shown on the attached chart are to be removed during the above-mentioned date and time.

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 60m safety zone, or outside such safety zone, from the point from which the fireworks are let off.

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

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that maintenance works will be carried out on the edge of the quay and the breakwater at San Ġorġ, Birżebbuġa.

The work will consist of repair works on the quay edge and along both sides of the breakwater between points A to B, as shown in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The works will commence on Monday, 2nd September, 2024, and are expected to be completed by Thursday, 31st October, 2024.

Some of the works will require the services of divers who will be exhibiting the International Code of Signals Flag 'A'.

A working area of 5m from the quay and breakwater will therefore be required and is to be kept clear while works are being carried out in the particular area.

All mariners are advised, to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution when close to the working area. They are to give the indicated areas a wide berth. Mariners are to cooperate with the requirements of the contractors and to comply with any instructions issued on VHF Channel 14 by Marsaxlokk VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 36

Reference is made to Local Notice to Mariners No 079 of 2024.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that the removal and reconstruction of the road bridge leading to the boat chamber at Il-Fossa in Il-Port ta' Marsamxett, will not be completed within the time as planned. The completion date is therefore being extended until Friday, 11th October, 2024.

Local Notice to Mariners No. 79 of 2024 is to be amended accordingly.

All the other information mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 79 of 2024 will remain valid.

Chart affected: BA 177

Reference is made to Local Notice to Mariners No. 8 of 2024.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that the working area for this project has been extended and is now the area shown in magenta on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Local Notice to Mariners No. 8 of 2024 is to be amended accordingly.

All the other information mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No 008 of 2024 will remain valid.

Chart affected: BA 211

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a swimming event starting from Zonqor Point and finishing in St Thomas Bay will be held on Thursday, 29th August, 2024.

The participants will depart from Zonqor Point, point A, at approximately 6.00 p.m. and are expected to arrive at St. Thomas Bay, point E at approximately 8.00 p.m. They will be following the route along the points A, B, C, D, and E, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

A support vessel will be monitoring the swimmers throughout the swim.

Mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout and navigate with extreme caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity, on the stipulated date and time. They are to cooperate with the organisers.

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.

Charts affected: BA 36, 2538