Notices to Mariners issued in Government Gazette No 21,695 of 31st July 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta, would like to inform mariners and the general public that, further to Local Notice to Mariners No. 139 of 2026 regarding Fireworks Display, Feast of St Dominic,Valletta, 2026, there will be further displays from the same locations as follows:

On Saturday, 1st August, 2026, from 9.30 a.m. to 9.45 a.m., from noon to 12.15 p.m., from 6.30 p.m. to 6.45 p.m., and from 10.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.;

On Sunday, 2nd August, 2026, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.15 a.m., from noon to 12.15 p.m., from 7.15 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., and from 9.00 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.

All other information included in Local Notice to Mariners No. 139 of 2026 will remain valid.

Charts affected: BA 194, 2537, 2538

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, 8th August and Sunday, 9th August, 2026.

Races shall take place from 9.00 a.m. to 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 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, notifies mariners that fireworks will be let off from barges moored off Bighi Point on the following dates and times:

A barge will be towed from its respective shipyard on Thursday, 30th July, 2026, where it will be moored at point Z as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Barge position:

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

     Z               35°53'.678                    14°31'.317

On Friday, 31st July, 2026 fireworks will be let off from the abovementioned barge from 8.00 a.m. to 8.15 a.m., from noon to 12.15 p.m., and from 7.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

The barge will be anchored in the abovementioned coordinates until Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.

Another two barges are scheduled to be towed from their respective shipyards and moored at points P and Y on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026, as indicated on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Barges position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

    P              35°53'.669           14°31'.200

    Y             35°53'.629           14°31'.255

On Saturday, 8th August, 2026, fireworks will be let off from the abovementioned barges from 8.00 a.m. to 8.15 a.m., from  noon to 12.15 p.m., and from 9.00 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.

On Sunday, 9th August, 2026, fireworks will be let off from the abovementioned barges from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., from noon to 12.15 p.m., from 7.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., and from 10.00 p.m. to 11.15 p.m.

On Monday, 10th August, 2026, fireworks will be let off from the abovementioned barges from 8.00 a.m. to 8.15 a.m., from noon to 12.15 p.m., and from 7.15 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.;

The three barges will be towed back to their respective shipyards on Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.

The barges will be left in the abovementioned positions during the night and will be lit.

A wide berth of 200 meters is requested from the position of the barges on the days indicated above as the barges might be loaded with fireworks.

The barges shall exhibit the appropriate signals for a vessel at anchor in compliance with the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (Colregs).   When loaded with fireworks they shall exhibit the International Code of Signals flag 'Bravo' by day and an all-round red light by night.

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.

Mariners are to navigate with caution and at slow speed when in the vicinity.  They are to cooperate with the organisers. Instructions and directions given on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and any enforcement personnel are to be complied with.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers will take place in Marsaxlokk as shown in the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 1st August, 2026, from 7.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

A craft 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 14 and/or 16 by Marsaxlokk VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 36