Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,573 of 20th January 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to inform mariners and owners of vessels that a rhodolith survey will be conducted within the Maltese territorial waters.

Weather permitting, the survey is scheduled to begin on Monday, 26th January, 2026, and is expected to be completed by Sunday, 8th March, 2026.

The rhodolith survey will utilize a remotely operated Vehicle (ROV) to record seabed data in the area as shown in the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

During the surveys, the survey vessel SIMO (9HB6482) will be restricted in her ability to maneuver. Therefore, vessel masters operating in the vicinity are requested to keep a safe distance of at least 200m 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 area. 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 194, 2537, 2538