Notices to Mariners issued in Government Gazette No. 21,731 of 9th October 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that a group of ex-National Team water-polo players will be organising a one-day fundraising charity event in Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo. The event will be held on Saturday, 17th October, 2026 between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

For the event a makeshift water-polo pitch in Mġarr ix-Xini will be set up within the area formed by joining the points A, B, C and D, as shown in chart 1 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

If due to unfavourable weather on the day, the event cannot be held in Mġarr ix-Xini, it will be held on the same date and time at either San Niklaw Bay, Comino, within the area formed by joining the points E, F, G and H, as shown in chart 2 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

PositionLatitude (N)Longitude (E)

E                      36° 01'.027     014° 19'.741

F                      36° 01'.024     014° 19'.754

G                     36° 01'.008     014° 19'.750

H                     36° 01'.011     014° 19'.737

or at Blue Lagoon, Comino, within the area formed by joining the points I, J, K and L, as shown in chart 3 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

PositionLatitude (N)Longitude (E)

I                       36° 00'.788     014° 19'.376

J                      36° 00'.792     014° 19'.388

K                       36° 00'.778   014° 19'.397

L                      36° 00'.773     014° 19'.385

All vessels navigating within the bays are requested to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at slow speed, and give the water-polo pitch a wide berth.

Charts affected: BA 211A, 2537

​The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that an open water swimming event will be held at il-Bajja tal-Mellieħa on Saturday, 10th October, 2026, and Sunday, 11th October 2026, between 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m.

The swimming races will take place within the area bounded by the following coordinates as indicated in chart A found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt):

Several RHIBs, jet skis, and kayaks will accompany the participating swimmers and assist the organisers during the races.

Should adverse weather conditions prevent the event from being held at Il-Bajja tal-Mellieħa as planned, it shall instead be held on the same dates and at the same times at il-Bajja ta' Għajn Tuffieħa as indicated in chart B found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), within the area bounded by the following coordinates:

All mariners are directed to keep well clear of the area and, under no circumstances, are to enter the designated race areas during the event.

​During the stipulated date and times, mariners navigating in the vicinity are advised to keep a sharp lookout, proceed with extreme caution and at slow speed (no wake), and cooperate with the organisers and support crafts.

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

Charts affected: BA 211, 2537, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta hereby informs mariners and the general public of the arrival of the Rig Noble Resolve at the Grand Harbour, Valletta.

The rig is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, 8th October, 2026. Berthing operation is expected to commence on Friday, 9th October, 2026, at 6.30 a.m. Following the completion of the handing over of the tow to the local tugs, the rig will commence its inbound manoeuvre and shall proceed to its designated berth at the Malta Mediterranean Hub (MMH) Quays. Manoeuvre planned to be completed by 10.30 a.m.

During the entry and berthing manoeuvres, Rig Noble Resolve will be assisted by a number of tugboats as well as there shall be the presence of Maritime enforcement to assist with ensuring safe passage.

Due to the complexity of this operation, all vessels in the port area must not interfere with the inbound manoeuvre or obstruct its safe passage. No vessel movements should take place without prior permission from Valletta VTS. Only emergency and enforcement vessels will be allowed to navigate in the affected area during this time.

In preparation for the operation, masters and owners of vessels currently berthed at Bridge Wharf, Fuel Wharf, Coal Wharf and Church Wharf shall be required to shift their vessels as indicated in the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), and as directed by Valletta VTS.

Failure to comply with the above directions may be subject to legal proceedings.

All mariners must maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 12 and 16 and comply with any instructions issued by Valletta VTS, and any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and owners of vessels that diving survey will be taking place at Marsaxlokk Port.

The diving survey will take place between Monday, 12th, and Tuesday, 13th October, 2026, within the areas A and B as shown in the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A diving support vessel will be displaying the International Code of Signals flag 'A' when diving operations are being carried out.

Diving operations shall be suspended during any scheduled merchant vessel arrivals or departures and may only be conducted when no such vessel movements are planned within Marsaxlokk Port terminals.

Masters of vessels operating in the vicinity are to give the divers and their support vessel a wide berth of at least 100m when spotted.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at slow speed when proceeding close to the above indicated areas. They are to comply with instructions given on VHF Channel 14 and/or 16 by Marsaxlokk VTS or any enforcement personnel on-site.

Chart affected: BA 36

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta would like to inform mariners and vessel owners regarding shore-based activities along the coastlines, cliffs, and shorelines of the Maltese islands that may pose a risk to navigation.

These activities may relate to the deployment of fishing lines, equipment, or other gear that extends from shore-based locations into the waters nearby. This equipment might not always be easily visible to approaching vessels, posing a hazard to navigation, especially during periods of reduced visibility or at night.

Mariners navigating near shorelines, coastal cliffs, and other nearshore areas are advised to exercise caution and maintain a proper lookout at all times.

Vessel operators are reminded that, in accordance with local navigation regulations, vessels navigating within 200 meters of the shoreline must not exceed a speed of 10 knots.

Mariners are encouraged to report any navigational hazards observed in coastal waters to Valletta VTS on VHF Channel 12/16 or Malta VTS on VHF Channel 69.