Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,689 of 17th July 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that firework displays in connection with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, St Paul's Bay, will be let off from a barge and pontoons moored in the position as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt). 

The pontoons will be moored in position on Friday, 24th July, 2026, at 9.00 a.m., and will be removed on Sunday, 26th July, 2026. When in position there will be a rope between the pontoons.

The fireworks will start to be loaded onto a barge from the jetty at Fekruna l/o Xemxija on Thursday, 23rd July, 2026, at around 11.00 a.m., and once loaded transported to the mooring position.

During nighttime, the barge and pontoons will carry lights.

The layout of the barge and pontoons is as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta (www.transport.gov.mt).

The dates and times when fireworks will be let off are as follows:

On Friday, 24th July, 2026, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.05 a.m., from noon to 12.05 p.m., and from 9.30 p.m. to 10.15 p.m.;

On Saturday, 25th July, 2026, from 9.00 a.m. to 9.05 a.m., from 11.45 a.m. to 11.50 a.m., from 6.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., and from 9.15 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.;

On Sunday, 26th July, 2026, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.05 a.m., from noon to 12.05 p.m., from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. and from 9.45 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.      

Mariners are informed that during the loading of the fireworks from the jetty onto the barge, the jetty cannot be used, and no vessel will be allowed to remain alongside until all fireworks have been loaded and the barge departs.

All vessels and bathers are warned to keep well clear of the barge and pontoons and maintain a safe distance of at least 200 metres from the barge while in transit and moored in position, on the abovementioned dates.

Vessels moored within 200 metres from the barge are to be removed and the area is to be kept clear during the days and times while the barge is in position.

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 200m safety zone, or outside such safety zone, from the point from which the fireworks are let off.

Chart affected: BA 211

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that, in connection with the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Balluta Bay, fireworks will be let off from pontoons laid in positions A, B and C, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The dates and times of the displays are as follows:

On Saturday, 25th July, 2026, from 10.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., and on Sunday, 26th July, 2026, from 7.00 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. and from 9.45 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.

All vessels and bathers are warned to keep well clear and maintain a safe distance of not less than 100m from position A, 60m from position B and 50m from position C, during the abovementioned days 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 indicated area, or outside such area.

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

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies mariners that the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club shall be holding the St Peter Regatta 2026 between Saturday, 25th July and Sunday, 26th July, 2026.

Races shall take place between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (local time) on all days.

Class races shall take place over two (2) adjacent upwind/downwind courses, centred in the selected sailing area depending on the prevailing weather conditions, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) showing areas A1, A2, B and C.

The courses, around which the competitors shall have to sail, shall be defined by orange inflatable marks (waypoints) of about 1.5 meters in height.

Races will take place, only when no merchant vessel traffic is scheduled to enter or to depart, from the Malta Freeport Terminals. 

Masters of all craft, not directly involved in any of these events, are asked to keep clear of the racing areas, especially at each of the turning marks. All mariners are to observe any instructions that may be given from the race organisers safety craft or on VHF Channels 14 and/or 16 by Marsaxlokk VTS.

Charts affected: BA 36, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, informs mariners and vessel owners that, with reference to the Local Notice to Mariners concerning Zones Reserved for Swimmers and Restricted Navigation Areas in Malta, Gozo, and Comino, no vessel shall be moored or anchored near the approaches to the entrances of, or within any designated launching lane unless authorised by Transport Malta.

Mariners are further reminded to maintain a minimum safety distance of 20 metres from all swimmers zones and restricted navigational areas, except at the following locations, where the minimum safety distance is 5 metres:

Comino: Blue Lagoon

San Niklaw Bay

Santa Maria Bay

Gozo: Mġarr ix-Xini

Xlendi Bay

To ensure the continued safeguarding of Safety at Sea, Mariners are reminded to refer and adhere with Local Notice to Mariners No. 186 of 2025 concerning Situational Awareness at Sea.

Mariners are advised to maintain a sharp lookout at all times and navigate at a safe and slow speed while operating in these areas. They are also required to comply with any instructions issued by Valletta VTS on VHF Channel 12, Marsaxlokk VTS on VHF Channel 14, Valletta/Marsaxlokk VTS on VHF Channel 16 and any enforcement personnel operating in the area.