Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette No. 21,490 dated 19th August 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that a freediving competition will be held off Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo.

The freediving competition will be held from Saturday, 16th August, 2025 to Friday, 22nd August, 2025, from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily.

​The freediving competition will be held at the following approximate position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

36˚00'.782                  014˚16'.307

The freedivers will be assisted by the safety vessel Sea Star which will be displaying the International Code of Signals Flag 'A'.

During the abovementioned days, all other vessels in the vicinity are to give the vessel Sea Star a wide berth of at least 50m when spotted.

If due to adverse weather conditions the competition cannot be held at the abovementioned position, it will be held off Xwejni Bay, on the same dates and times, in the following approximate position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

36˚05'.079                  014˚ 14'.858

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, proceed with caution and at safe speed when navigating in the vicinity of the above indicated areas.

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

Chart affected: BA 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta notifies all mariners, owners of vessels and divers, that parts of il-Moll tal- Marfa will be temporarily restricted.

The event will be held on Wednesday, 20th August, 2025, from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Mariners and owners of vessels are advised that the area formed by joining the points A B, C, D and the intermediate shoreline (as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)) is closed on the above-mentioned date and time.

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A                     35° 59'.289     014° 20'.678

B                     35° 59'.234     014° 20'.686

C                     35° 59'.223     014° 20'.677

D                     35° 59'.228     014° 20'.669

During said times only loading and unloading is permitted at the southern part of Il-Moll tal-Marfa.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution at slow speed and give a wide berth when in the vicinity, they are to keep out of the abovementioned area.

Mariners and vessel operators are to comply with instructions and directions 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 and owners of vessels that diving survey will be taking place at Marsaxlokk Port.

The diving survey will take place between Wednesday 20th and Wednesday 27th of August, 2025, within the area in position A (as shown in the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)).

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

(A)                  35°49'.239      14°33'.402  

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

Masters of vessels operating in the vicinity are to give the divers and their support vessel a wide berth of at least 100m when spotted.

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 area. They are to comply with instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16 by Marsaxlokk VTS or any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that several types of investigative surveys will be carried out between Malta and Sicily and to the South of Malta.

These investigative surveys will be carried out by the vessel RV Gaia Blu and her ancillary equipment.

Weather permitting the surveys are planned to commence on Thursday, 28th August, 2025, and are expected to be completed by Monday, 8th September, 2025.

The investigative surveys will be held within the area formed by joining the points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and the intermediate coastline as shown on the chart 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 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 RV Gaia Blu when it is detected or sighted.

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

Charts affected: BA 2123, 2124, 2537, 2538