Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,520 of 14th October 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta would like to inform mariners and owners of vessels that a Coastal Benthic Habitat Survey will be conducted within the Maltese Territorial Waters.

Weather permitting, the survey is set to begin with immediate effect and is expected to be completed by Sunday, 26th of October, 2025, between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.

The survey will be carried out using a small survey rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) with registration number S27000. The boat will manoeuvre at a slow speed along the coasts of the islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino, Kemmunett, and Filfla.

The survey areas are as follows:

a) Marsaxlokk Port to Għar Lapsi and Filfla ‒ Chart A

b) Ġnejna to Għar Lapsi ‒ Chart B

c) Ġnejna to Il-Ponta tal-Aħrax and Comino-Kemmunett ‒ Chart C

d) Il-Ponta tal-Aħrax to Il-Ponta ta' Dragut (Marsamxett) ‒ Chart D

e) Il-Ponta ta' Dragut (Marsamxett) to Marsaxlokk Port ‒ Chart E

f) Around Gozo ‒ Chart F

Vessel masters operating in the vicinity are requested to keep a safe distance of at least 50 meters from the survey RHIB when it is spotted.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at safe speed (no wake) when navigating in the above indicated areas. They are to comply with instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, or by any enforcement agency on site.

Charts affected: BA 36, 177, 194, 2537, 2538

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and the general public that further to Local Notice to Mariners No. 132 and 153 of 2025 regarding Restricted Areas round Malta due to danger of falling rocks, the following area is to be added to the list.

Rinella – Fort Ricasoli ‒ The area formed by joining the points A, B, C and the intermediate coastline as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

A                     35° 53'.894     014° 31'.408

B                     35° 53'.883     014° 31'.393

C                     35° 53'.771     014° 31'.528

All conditions and advice mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 132 of 2025 will remain valid and will apply to this area also.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, informs mariners and the general public about an offloading operation involving a trench-pipelaying barge from a heavy-lift vessel.

This offloading operation is expected to take place from Monday, 13th October, 2025 to Friday, 17th October, 2025.

The operation will be conducted within Bunkering Area 1, as shown in Chart A found on the Transport Malta (www.transport.gov.mt). However, if weather conditions are unfavourable, an alternative site has been identified near Il-Bajja ta' Fomm ir-Riħ, as shown in Chart B found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Due to the nature of the operation, all vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance of at least 200 meters from the heavy-lift vessel 'Red Zed 1' when it is in sight.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a vigilant lookout, proceed with caution, and navigate at slow speed (no wake) when approaching the designated area. Cooperation with the on-site contractor is essential.

All vessels must also comply with any instructions provided on VHF channels 12 or 16 by Valletta VTS and enforcement personnel on site.

​Charts affected: BA 211, 194, 2537