Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette No 21,690 of 21st July 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that on Thursday, 30th July, 2026, a statue of St Peter will be loaded on a vessel from the breakwater at St George's Bay, Birżebbuġa (point A on attached chart) and transported from there to a location close to the Birżebbuġa waterpolo pitch (point B on chart found on Transport Malta website (http://www.transport.gov.mt)).

The ceremony will commence at 7.15 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 8.15 p.m.

During the trip, several other vessels are expected to accompany the vessel carrying the statue.

Mariners are to navigate with caution at slow speed and to keep a sharp lookout when in the vicinity to the above-mentioned events and when sighted they are to give the vessel carrying the statue a wide berth.

They are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16, by Marsaxlokk VTS and the organisers.

Chart affected: BA Chart 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that on Friday, 31st July, 2026, a statue of St Peter will be loaded on a vessel from the breakwater at St George's Bay Birżebbuġa (point A on attached chart) and transported from there to a location close to the Birżebbuġa waterpolo pitch (point B on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)).

​The ceremony will commence a 7.00 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 8.30 p.m.

During the trip, several other vessels are expected to accompany the vessel carrying the statue.

Mariners are to navigate with caution at slow speed and to keep a sharp lookout when in the vicinity to the above-mentioned events and when sighted they are to give the vessel carrying the statue a wide berth.

They are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16, by Marsaxlokk VTS and the organisers.

Chart affected: BA Chart 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the Pageant of the Seas event will be held at the Grand Harbour on Friday, 24th July, 2026.

Preparatory and setup works for the Valletta Pageant of the Seas will commence at Quarry Wharf side on Friday, 17th July, 2026. These works will include the installation of vent infrastructure, technical equipment, staging, and ancillary facilities, and will be carried out daily between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.

On Tuesday, 21st July, 2026, water fountain and laser rehearsals within area Y, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), will be held between 7.00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., depending on vessel traffic movements.

The positions of floating platforms related to the water fountains and lasers are as follows:

On Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026 and Thursday, 23rd July, 2026, full rehearsals (water fountain, lasers, boat pageantry) within both areas Y and Z, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) to be held between 7.00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., depending on vessel traffic movements.

On the day of the actual event, Friday, 24th July 2026, fireworks will be loaded on the pontoons at point A, between 7.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

The pontoons loaded with fireworks will then be shifted from point A, to point B, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

All traffic movements between Saturday, 18th July, 2026 and Thursday, 23rd July, 2026 are to be coordinated on VHF channel 12 by Valletta VTS.

Owners of vessels, both moored and anchored in Il-Bajja tar-Rinella are to remove their vessels and the area is to be kept clear from Wednesday, 22nd July, at 7.00 a.m. to Friday, 24th July, 2026 at 11.59 p.m. Quay at Il-Bajja tar-Rinella must not be used as well due to fireworks material being on site.

Owners of vessels, both moored and anchored at Quarry Wharf, are required to remove their vessels from Sunday, 19th July, 2026, at 8.00 a.m. to Sunday, 26th July, 2026, at 6.00 p.m. Mariners should maintain an 80-meter safety distance from Quarry Wharf during this period.

The Grand Harbour will be closed to all traffic on Friday, 24th July, 2026, from 8.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. while the events are being held, within the area enclosed by the imagery lines joining points J-K, L-M, N-O, P-Q, R-S, T-W and the intermediate coastline as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

During the events, ship movements at the Grand Harbour will be restricted. No vessels will be allowed within the restricted area, except by arrangement through the organizing Committee/Valletta VTS. Authorised vessels must be secured and moored by not later than 8.30 p.m. in the designated areas, as shown in blue on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Dismantling and the removal of event equipment and infrastructure will take place on Saturday, 25th July, 2026.

Mariners are to comply with instructions and directions issued on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, and by the Police, the Armed Forces of Malta and Transport Malta enforcement units that will be in the area.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, will not be held responsible or liable, in any manner whatsoever, for any damages or expenses incurred by any person as a consequence of this event, including for failing to abide and comply with the above directions.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that preparatory works will be carried out close to the shore at Għallis for the proposed Malta-Italy interconnector II project.

Weather permitting, the preparatory works are planned to be carried out with immediate effect until Friday, 30th April, 2027, within the area A, B, C and D, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

    A                 35° 57'.250     14° 26'.362      

    B                 35° 57'.239     14° 26'.405

    C                 35° 57'.271     14° 26'.416

    D                 35° 57'.281     14° 26'.374     

Four lit-up marker buoys may be utilised within the area indicated above.

The preparatory works will involve drilling on the seabed, positioning of barriers/curtains and installation of a bellmouth.

Divers will be assisted by a support vessel, which will display the International Code of Signals flag 'A' when diving operations are being carried out.  In accordance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG), the support vessel will also exhibit the appropriate lights and shapes as related to the nature of its work.

Mariners are instructed not to anchor or fish within the abovementioned area and within a radius of 100m around it, during the mentioned period.

Mariners are also notified to comply with any instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Charts Affected: BA 211, 2537, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that maintenance works will be held within the Creek Marina (Msida), Marsamxett Harbour.

Maintenance diving operations are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026, between 7.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m., within the hatched areas shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

During the maintenance work, the scuba divers will be accompanied by a support vessel displaying the International Code of Signals flag'A'.

Mariners are to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at very slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity and are to give the mentioned areas a wide berth. They 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.

Chart affected: BA 177