Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,233 of 26th April 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that as part of the Open Day at Ta' Xbiex, sailing taster sessions will be held in Marsamxett Harbour.

The sailing taster sessions will be held on Saturday, 27th April, 2024, from 10.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m., within the area as shown in red on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Mariners are to note the above and are directed, for the duration of the event, to give way to the sailing vessels participating in the event.

Mariners navigating in the vicinity of the indicated areas on the mentioned dates and times are to keep watch on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 and are to cooperate with the organisers and/or enforcement personnel in the area.

Any instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS are to be complied with.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners owners of vessels and the general public that the following designated restricted areas to navigation have been established:

A) At Xatt L-Aħmar – Gozo, the area joining the points A1, A2 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart A found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

B) In Il-Bajja ta' San Ġorġ, the area joining the points B1, B2, B3, B4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart B found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

C) In Il-Bajja ta' San Ġorġ, the area joining the points C1, C2, C3, C4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart C found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

D) At Il-Ponta tad-Dragunara, the area joining the points D1, D2, D3, D4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart D found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

E) In Il-Bajja tal-Balluta – Il-Bajja ta' San Ġiljan, the area joining the points E1, E2, E3, E4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart E found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

F) In Il-Bajja ta' Għar id-Dud – Tas-Sliema, the area joining the points F1, F2 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart F found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Points  Latitude (N)    Longitude (E)

G) In Il-Bajja ta' San Ġorġ, the area joining the points G1, G2, G3, G4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart G found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

H) In Il-Port ta' Marsamxett, the area joining the points H1, H2, H3, H4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart H found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

I) In Il-Bajja tax-Xwejni – Gozo, the area joining the points I1, I2, I3, I4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart I found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

J) In Il-Bajja ta' Marsalforn – Gozo, the area joining the points J1, J2, J3, J4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart J found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

K) In Tas-Sliema a floating platform will be laid centred at point K1 as shown on chart K found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

L) In Wied il-Għasri – Gozo, the area joining the points L1, L2 and the intermediate coastline as shown on the chart L found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

M) In Il-Bajja ta' San Ġorġ, the area joining the points M1, M2, M3, M4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart M found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

N) In Il-Port ta' Marsamxett (Ta' Xbiex area), the area joining the points N1, N2, N3, N4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart N found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

O) In Marsamxett Harbour (Valletta Water Polo Pitch area), the area joining the points O1, O2, O3 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart O found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

P) In Il-Port il-Kbir (Kalkara Creek – Toqba area – Birgu), the area joining the points P1, P2, P3, P4 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart P found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Q) In Il-Port il-Kbir (Rinella Bay area), the area joining the points Q1, Q2 and the intermediate coastline as shown on chart Q found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

To always ensure safety, no vessel, craft, or other object, whether mechanically operated or not, is to enter these designated restricted areas.  Furthermore, the use of fishing gear/implements is not allowed in these areas. 

These designated restricted areas may be in place any time between Wednesday, 1st May, 2024 and Monday, 30th September, 2024.  All designated restricted areas, except for the floating platform, will be delineated by ropes, which will be kept afloat by coloured buoys.

Owners of vessels moored within these designated restricted areas are advised to remove their vessels and mooring buoys immediately. Any vessels and mooring buoys left in these areas may be removed by the respective operators. No liability whatsoever, will be borne by Transport Malta for any damage to vessels or any damage/loss of mooring buoys and ground tackles that are left in these areas.

Mariners are informed that it is prohibited to secure/moor any vessel, craft, or object to any marker buoy, ropes, floating platform, and related gear delineating the designated restricted areas.

Position is referred to WGS 84 DATUM.

Charts affected: BA 177, 211, 2537, 2538