Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,605 of 17th March 2026

Reference is made to BA Chart 211A – Channels between Malta and Gozo

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, informs mariners of a floating tube measuring 4 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter located in Bunkering Area No. 1, approximately at the following position:

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

35° 59'.240                 014° 24'.460

Whilst every effort is being made to rectify as soon as possible, mariners are to give a wide berth of at least 200m when in sight. Mariners are to navigate with caution and keep a sharp lookout when navigating in the vicinity.

Position in WGS 84 Datum

Charts affected: BA 211, 194, 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a survey at il-Ponta tal-Imgerbeb – Grand Harbour, will be carried out with the use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and by scuba divers. This survey will be carried out by the vessel 'Undaunted' and her ancillary equipment.

Weather permitting, the underwater survey is planned to be carried out between Monday, 23rd March, 2026 and Saturday, 4th April, 2026, within the area A, B, C, D and E as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The international Code of Signals Flag 'A' will be displayed on board the support vessel when scuba divers are in the water.

Since the vessel 'Undaunted' will be deploying a tethered ROV, she will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre and will be displaying the appropriate signals in compliance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

A safety zone of 50m around the survey area and the support vessel is to be kept during the survey.

Mariners and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, proceed with caution and at slow speed when navigating in the vicinity of the abovementioned area.

Mariners are also notified to abide by any instructions issued by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) on VHF Channel 12.

Positions are in WGS84

​Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that further to Notice to Mariners No. 24 of 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta will carry out live firing practice on Sunday, 22nd March, 2026 at the Pembroke Ranges, between 8.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. (local time).

A Sécurité message will be issued on VHF Channels 12, and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, accordingly.

The exercise area (LM-D6) is delineated by sector ABC.

From Position A                                             

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35° 55'.540     014° 28'.320 (Centre point on land), a radius of 4 nautical miles to points

B         35° 59'.460     014° 27'.150 and

C         35° 58'.290     014° 32'.190

Limits are indicated on BA charts 194, 2537 and 2538

During the live firing practice, red flags (approximate size 2.5m x 2m), will be flown from the shore limits.After sunset, instead of the red flags, there will be red lights and there will be two safety vessels with blue lights on each side, to indicate the limits of the area. Mariners are warned to keep, as a minimum, 4 nautical miles off the coast when the flags or safety vessels are sighted.

Moreover, any instructions given on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) and by the Armed Forces of Malta, are to be strictly observed.

Charts affected: BA 2538, 2537, 194

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies that further to Notice to Mariners No. 24 of 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta will carry out live firing practice from Monday, 23rd March to Friday, 27th March, 2026, with extended hours between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. (local time).

A Sécurité message will be issued on VHF Channels 12, and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, accordingly.

The exercise area (LM-D6) is delineated by sector ABC.

From Position A                                             

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35° 55'.540     014° 28'.320 (Centre point on land), a radius of 4 nautical miles to points

B         35° 59'.460     014° 27'.150 and

C         35° 58'.290     014° 32'.190

Limits are indicated on BA charts 194, 2537 and 2538

During the live firing practice, red flags (approximate size 2.5m x 2m), will be flown from the shore limits.After sunset, instead of the red flags, there will be red lights and there will be two safety vessels with blue lights on each side, to indicate the limits of the area. Mariners are warned to keep, as a minimum, 4 Nautical miles off the coast when the flags or safety vessels are sighted.

Moreover, any instructions given on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) and by the Armed Forces of Malta, are to be strictly observed.

Charts affected: BA 2538, 2537, 194

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM