Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,373 of 10th January 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies mariners that the Royal Malta Yacht Club will be organising a sailing regatta which will be held off Sliema and St Julian's seafront.

The sailing regatta will be held off Sliema and St. Julian's within race area 1, as shown on the chart A found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on the following days and times:

On Friday, 10th January, 2025, from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

On Saturday, 11th January, 2025, from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., and on

On Sunday, 12th January, 2025, from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Orange inflatable marker buoys to indicate the racecourse within the above-mentioned area will be laid at the start time indicated above and will be removed by 5.00 p.m., on each day of the races.

All vessels that are not involved in the activity are to keep well clear from the competing sailing vessels and are to follow any instructions given by the race officials, the support vessels and any enforcement officers in the area.

If for some reason the event cannot be held within race area 1 as stated above, they will try to hold the event in Marsamxett Harbour, within race area 2, as shown on the chart B found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on the same days and times.

Mariners navigating in the vicinity are to note the above, keep watch on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 and are to give the areas indicated a wide berth. They are further instructed to fully comply with Rule 18 (COLREGS 1972) and to 'keep out of the way' of the sailing vessels participating in the Regatta.

Any instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS are to be complied with.

Charts affected: BA 177, 2538, 2537.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers near Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour, will be held 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, 18th January, 2025, from 8.00 a.m. to 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 official on site.

Chart affected: BA 211

Reference is made to BA Chart 211E – Għawdex, il-Bajja ta' Marsalforn

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the Marsalform East Cardinal buoy, in the following position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

36° 04'.496                 014° 15'.557

mentioned in Notice to Mariners No. 32 of 2024, has been Re-Established and is functioning properly.

Notice to Mariners No. 32 of 2024 is hereby CANCELLED.

Reference is made to BA Chart 211E – Għawdex, Il-Bajja ta' Marsalforn

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the Marsalforn Port Hand Lateral Buoy Flashing 2 Red every 5 seconds, [FL(2)R.5s], in the following position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

36º 04'.490                14º 15'.660

Is MISSING

Mariners are to note the above and give a wide berth.