Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,403 of 7th March 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that diving operations will be taking place next to Il-Ponta ta` Bighi, Kalkara, and between Xatt ir-Risq and Dock No.1, Cospicua.

The diving operations will take place between Monday, 17th and Tuesday, 25th of March, 2025, between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m., within the areas:

Entrance to No.1 Dock (point V), corner between Machinery Wharf and Oil Wharf (point W), north end of Oil Wharf (point X), Xatt ir-Risq (point Y) and Il-Ponta ta' Bighi (point Z).

Positions are shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

A diving support vessel will be displaying the International Code of Signals Flag 'A' when diving operations are being carried out. 

A safety zone of 25m around the survey area is to be observed throughout the allocated survey times.  All vessel movements, transits, dockings and undockings outside the safety zone are to be coordinated with the diving team on site and with the port operations manager.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at slow speed when proceeding close to the above indicated areas. They are to comply with instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS or any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that several types of investigative surveys will be carried out for the EMC Subsea Cable System – Offshore Malta.

These investigative surveys will be carried out by the vessel 'MV Fugro Gauss' and her ancillary equipment.

Weather permitting the surveys are planned to commence on Monday, 10th March, 2025 (Malta continental shelf boundary) and are expected to be completed by Tuesday, 15th April, 2025.

The route between the limit of west-end side of the Malta Continental Shelf ‒ Point A and where ends on the East-End side of the Malta Continental Shelf ‒ Point Q will be along the following coordinates as found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Since the vessel will be towing different types of equipment and, may at times be stationery, she will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Appropriate signals in accordance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (Colregs) and the International Code of Signals, will be exhibited accordingly.

Mariners are instructed to navigate with caution and to maintain a safe distance of 0.75 Nautical Miles from the vessel 'MV Fugro Gauss' when it is detected or sighted.

All vessels are to comply with any instructions given on VHF 16.

Chart affected: BA 2124

Reference is made to BA chart 194 – Malta and Gozo, and BA chart 2124 – Isola di Lampedusa to Capo Passero including Malta.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that an anchor and chain were lost to the east-south-east (ESE) of the Maltese Islands, in the following approximate position.

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35˚45'.980                  014˚49'.350

​Insert symbol  indicating a foul area with a 500m radius, in position.

Positions are referred to WGS 84 DATUM.

Charts affected: BA 194, 2124