Notice to Mariners issued in Government Gazette No. 21,708 of 25th August 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that firework displays will be let off from two barges, moored at least 200m off Il-Ponta ta' Bighi, centered on positions P and Y, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The firework displays will be let off on the following dates and times:

On Friday, 4th September, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m., between noon and 12.20 p.m., and between 8.30 p.m. and 8.50 p.m.

On Saturday, 5th September, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m., between noon and 12.20 p.m., and between 8.30 p.m. and 8.50 p.m.

On Sunday, 6th September, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m., between noon and 12.20 p.m., and between 10.00 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.

On Monday, 7th September, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m. between noon and 12.20 p.m., between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m., and between 9.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m.

On Tuesday, 8th September, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 8.20 a.m., between noon and 12.20 p.m., and between 7.00 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.

On Tuesday, 1st September, 2026, barges will be shifted from their respective shipyard to positions P and Y from where the fireworks will be let off. The barges will be left in position during the night and therefore they will have lights on them.

The fireworks will be loaded onto a barge at Rinella Bay and shifted to be loaded on the 2 barges on Wednesday, 2nd,  Thursday, 3rd, Saturday, 5th, and Monday, 7th September, 2026, the shifting of the fireworks will take place at around 6.00 a.m. or 6.30 a.m.

The barges will then be removed from the moored position on Wednesday, 9th September, 2026.

A wide berth of 200 meters is requested from the barges on these days as the barges will be loaded with fireworks.

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 Chart 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that the 8th September Regatta will be held in the Grand Harbour within the below area and as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

1. On Tuesday, 8th September, 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 point (B) off Il-Ponta ta' Sant'Anġlu;

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

(iii) a wire rope with floats will be laid from point (C) north of Il-Ponta tal-Isla to point (D) west of Il-Ponta tal-Isla opposite the entrance to id-Daħla tal-Franċizi Bastion;

(iv) access beyond Ponta tal-Isla point (C) is restricted to participating craft only;

(v) a wire rope with floats will be laid from bollard 8 at Ras Ħanzir 2 point (E) to bollard 26 at Deep Water Quay point (F), as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

2. The wire ropes, floats and buoys mentioned in 1 above will be removed on the completion of the Regatta at approximately 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 8th September, 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, 8th September, 2026.

Between 8.15 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026, vessels whose berthing arrangements fall within, or whose departure out of the Grand Harbour requires the vessel to transit within, the area designated as the regatta racecourse shall not be permitted to depart, except with the prior authorisation of the event organisers. (If the regatta is cancelled on 8th September, 2026, the above restriction shall instead apply between 8.15 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on Saturday, 12th September, 2026).

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, 8th September, 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 Saturday, 12th September, 2026, between 8.30 a.m. and 6.00 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

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all mariners, owners of vessels and divers that parts of il-Moll tal-Marfa will be temporarily restricted.

The event will be held on Wednesday, 26th August, 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

Mariners and owners of vessels are advised that the area formed by joining points A, B, C, D, and the intermediate shoreline as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) is closed on the abovementioned date and time.

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35° 59'.289     014° 20'.678

B         35° 59'.234     014° 20'.686

C         35° 59'.223     014° 20'.677

D         35° 59'.228     014° 20'.669

During said times, only loading and unloading are permitted at the southern part of il-Moll tal-Marfa.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution at slow speed and give a wide berth when in the vicinity, they are to keep out of the abovementioned area.

Mariners and vessel operators are to comply with instructions and directions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enfo

Chart affected: BA 211