Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,660 of 5th June 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers in Xemxija – Il-Bajja ta' San Pawl, within the areas A and B, as shown in red on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), will be carried out on Saturday, 6th June, 2026, between 7.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.

An RIB will assist the divers and will display the international code of Signals flag 'A'.

Mariners are advised to keep at least 100m safety distance from the abovementioned area, maintain a sharp lookout and navigate with extreme caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity, on the stipulated date and time.

They are to cooperate with the organisers and to comply with any instructions 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, would like to bring to the attention of all mariners of existing dangers of falling debris from the St Elmo's Breakwater Bridge, Grand Harbour.

The condition presents a significant hazard to navigation, posing a risk to vessels, crew and passengers. The entrance into the Grand Harbour from beneath and navigation in close proximity of the St Elmo's Breakwater Bridge is prohibited, until further notice.

Mariners are also to take note that the lights on the bridge are unreliable.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta urges all mariners and owners of vessels to maintain a safe distance off St Elmo's Breakwater Bridge and to comply with instructions by Valletta VTS on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, and any Transport Malta official on-site.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that in addition to the permanent speed limit buoys, special mark buoys will be placed around the Maltese Islands to alert mariners of speed restriction areas (10 Knots and 5 Knots) around Malta. The placement of the buoys is seasonal, from June to October but may still be in place after this date.

Special mark buoys 1.5 metres in diameter, fitted with a light flashing yellow 1 every 4 seconds 'Fl.Y.4s (Jun-Oct)' and a two (2) nautical miles range, shall be placed in the following positions:

Further to the above yellow cylindrical buoys which are 0.9 metres in diameter, flashing yellow 1 every 4 seconds 'Fl.Y.4s (Jun-Oct)' and having a 2 nautical miles range, will be placed in the following positions:

The following buoys placed in Mġarr ix-Xini – Gozo, Blue Lagoon – Comino, Mellieħa – off the beach, Il-Gżejjer North and Xemxija inner, delineate a 5 Knots maximum speed limit.

Buoys indicate to the mariners that they are approaching areas where speed restrictions apply, and in any case, mariners are always reminded to proceed at a safe speed subject to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

Mariners are further reminded that it is prohibited to moor any vessel to any of the above buoys and any other buoy owned by Transport Malta and that the speed restriction is in place all year round even without the buoys in place. The buoys may be deployed prior to Monday, 1st June, 2026, and the removal of the buoys may be delayed to after Saturday, 31st October, 2026.

Charts affected: BA 36, 177, 211A, 211B, 2537, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies Mariners that in connection with Festa tas-Santissima Trinità ‒ Marsa, aerial firework displays will be let off from near Triq Belt il-Ħażna, Marsa, from point A as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), in approximately the following position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35°52'.971      14°29'.933

The dates and times of the firework displays from the above positions A, are as follows:

On Saturday, 13th June, 2026, from 6.45 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. and on Sunday, 14th June, 2026, from 6.45 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.

Masters and owners of vessels that are berthed within the safety zones, the area shown in red on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), are to remove their vessels (both commercial and recreational) during the abovementioned dates and times.

Transport Malta will accept no liability whatsoever for any damage caused by the firework displays to any vessel and her ancillary equipment, whether such vessel and her ancillary equipment are left within the safety zone, or outside such safety zone.

All mariners are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement officers on-site.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and the general public that repair works will be carried out on the jetty in Triq is-Salini, Marsaskala.

The works are expected to start with immediate effect and should be completed by Thursday, 31st December, 2026.

A silt curtain will be laid along the perimeter of areas A, B, C and D as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

These works will be carried out from land and by scuba divers who will be displaying the International Code of Signals flag 'A' while works are being carried out.

Due to these works, any vessels moored or anchored within the imaginary line A, B, C, D and the intermediate coastline are to be removed, and the jetty cannot be used for the duration of the works.

Mariners and owners of vessels are to proceed at very low speed (no wake) when navigating close to the area. They are to keep at least 10m away from the silt curtain and are to cooperate with the contractor on-site.

All mariners are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on-site.

Charts affected: BA 36, 2538

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 Monday, 8th June, 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