Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,613 of 30th March 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of 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 Tuesday, 7th April, 2026 and is expected to be completed by Sunday, 3rd May, 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

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that the 31st March Regatta will be held at the Grand Harbour within the below area and as marked on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

1. On Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, as from 8.30 a.m., wire rope with floats will be laid in the following positions:

(i) a wire rope with floats will be laid from point (A) ashore on Barriera Wharf to buoy (B) off Il-Ponta ta' Sant'Anġlu;

​(ii) a wire rope with floats will be laid from buoy (B) off Il-Ponta ta' Sant'Anġlu to point (C) north of Il-Ponta tal-Isla;

2. The wire ropes, floats and buoys mentioned in 2 above will be removed on the completion of the regatta at approximately 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026.

3. The sinkers and marker buoys mentioned in 1 above will also be removed on the completion of the regatta at approximately 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026.

​Masters of all vessels are notified that on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, between 8.30 a.m. and around 6.00 p.m., incoming vessels will not be allowed to proceed to any berth south-west of the line joining point (A) on Barriera Wharf and Fortizza Sant' Anġlu Flagstaff. Vessels in 'Il-Marsa' sea area will not be allowed to proceed beyond the line (E) to (F) indicated in 2(v) above after 8.00 a.m.

No vessel will be allowed near the finishing line except those involved in the races. No movements of vessels will be allowed inside the Grand Harbour, except by special permission. All vessels are to keep a minimum distance of 5m away from the lines and floats mentioned in 2(ii), 2(iii), 2(iv) and 2(v).

Incoming vessels will not be allowed to proceed to any berth south-west of the line which is 150m north-east of the line (A) to (B) mention in 2(i) above. No vessel will be allowed to stay within this 150m area.

The area bounded by the lines between the points A to B, B to C, C to D, E to F, and the intermediate coastline is to be kept clear on Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, between 8.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. from all vessels except those authorised by the activity organisers.

If due to adverse weather conditions, the event cannot be held as planned, it will be held in the same location on Sunday, 12th April, 2026, between 8.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

​Masters of all vessels are also warned that the wire ropes and floats may cause a physical obstruction and consequently they are to navigate with extreme caution. Caution is also to be exercised when in the vicinity of such wire ropes and floats when these are being laid or removed.

Mariners are to comply with any instructions issued by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) on VHF Channel 12 and enforcement personnel in the area.

Chart affected: BA 177