Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,206 of 12th March 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys will be carried out in different areas round Malta.

The areas where the AUV surveys will be carried out are as follows:

1. within the area formed by joining the points 1A, 1B, C, and 1D,

2. within the three (3) areas formed by joining the points 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the points 2E, 2F, 2G, and 2H, and the points 2I, 2J, 2K, and 2L

3. within the area formed by joining the points 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D,

4. within the area formed by joining the points 4A, 4B, C and 4D,

5. within the area formed by joining the points 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, and

6. within the area formed by joining the points 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D

as shown on chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The surveys will be carried out during daylight hours and will start on Friday, 15th March, 2024, and are expected to be completed, weather permitting, by Sunday, 15th December, 2024.

Mariners are instructed to navigate with caution when close to the above-mentioned areas and give the survey vessel a wide berth of 150m.

Moreover, any instructions given on VHF Channels 12, 14 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, Marsaxlokk VTS and the Armed Forces of Malta are to be strictly observed.

Charts affected: BA 2537, 2538, 194

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the Malta Young Sailors Club will be holding Foundation Day regattas in St Paul's Bay, on Saturday, 16th March; Sunday, 17th March; Saturday, 23rd March; and Sunday, 24th March, 2024.

The activity will take place in St Paul's Bay and its approaches, within the area delineated by the imaginary lines joining the points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and M, as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Inflatable marker buoys shall be laid within the above-mentioned area to indicate the racecourse. The buoys are expected to be laid from 9.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m., on all days of the activity,

All vessels not involved in the activity are to keep well clear from the competing boats and follow any instructions given by the race officials and support vessels.

Mariners are to note the above and give the racecourse area, on the day, a wide berth. They are further instructed to keep out of the way of all the sailing vessels participating in the regattas.

Any instructions issued on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, by Valletta VTS and by any Enforcement Personnel on site are to be complied with.

Charts affected: BA 211, 2538, 2537