Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,274 of 25th June 2024

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that an Ocean Festival – swimming round Gozo – will be held on Monday, 1st July, 2024.

The swimmers will depart from Il-Bajja ta' Ħondoq ir-Rummien, point A and will be staying close to the shore carrying a lit floating device, towards Il-Port ta' Imġarr, point B. The swimmers will then continue to Point C, across the entrance to Mġarr harbour, and it is estimated that this will take approximately 15 minutes. The swimmers will then continue swimming in a clockwise direction around Gozo from point C back to point A (Il-Bajja ta' Ħondoq ir-Rummien). Points A, B and C are as shown on the chart found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The swimmers will start at point A at approximately 4.00 a.m. and arrive at point B at approximately 4.30 a.m, where they will cross the entrance of Mgarr Harbour to point C by approximately 4.45 a.m. They will then proceed in a clockwise direction back to point A and should arrive by not later than 8.00 p.m.

Due to the above, traffic to and from Mgarr Harbour will be restricted from 4.30 a.m. to 4.45 a.m. while the swimmers are crossing the entrance.

During the swim there will be a number of support vessels including sea ambulances accompanying the swimmers, with rescue personnel also on land.

If due to inclement weather conditions the swim cannot be held as scheduled, it will be held either Tuesday 2nd or Wednesday, 3rd July, 2024, at the same times.

Masters and operators of vessels are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution, and at slow speed (no wake), they are to give a wide berth to the swimmers and the accompanying support vessels. All ferries and other vessels shall not enter and/or depart from Mġarr Harbour, while the swimmers will be transiting the entrance to the harbour i.e. between points B and C.

All vessels are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Charts affected: BA 211, 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta would like to notify mariners that the Yachting Malta club shall be holding Sailing Regatta on Saturday 29th June, 2024, between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. (local time).

The first races are to be held outside the Valletta Harbours (outside Smart City) between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m., in the area inside W,X,Y and Z as shown on chart 1 found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The second races are to be held inside the Grand Harbour between 5.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m., in the area inside A,B,C,D,E and F as shown on chart 2 found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Races shall be held over two (2) adjacent upwind/downwind courses, centred in the selected sailing area depending on the prevailing wind direction and weather conditions See charts found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) showing the racing area.

The courses, around which the competitors have to sail, shall be defined by orange inflatable marks (waypoints) of about 1.5 meters in height which will be placed on the day basis wind conditions at the time.

Races shall take place when no vessel traffic is scheduled to enter or depart from the Grand Harbour – Il-Port il-Kbir.

Masters of all craft, not directly involved in this Sailing Regattas, are asked to keep clear of the racing area, especially at each of the turning marks. All mariners are to observe any instructions given by the Enforcement personnel on the site and on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Charts affected: BA 177, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that three 2-minute fireworks display, during the Mediterranean Film Festival, will be let off from a barge at Point A in Marsamxett Harbour as shown on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

A 35° 54'.153 14° 30'.493

The barge will be loaded with the fireworks at the quay in Rinella Bay on Saturday, 29th June, 2024, at about 5.00 p.m. The barge loaded with the fireworks will then be towed from Rinella Bay to point A on Sunday, 30th June, 2024 at 4.00 p.m. The three 2-minute fireworks display will take place on Sunday, 30th June, 2024 between 9.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. The barge will be towed to its yard once the displays are finished.

A safety distance of 200m from point A is requested while the barge is in position.

Further to the above a flat barge with an overall length of 23.7 meters will be moored stern-to at point B (as shown on the attached chart).

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

B 35° 54'.133 14° 30'.367

The flat barge will be moored in position on Saturday, 29th June, 2024 in the morning and will be removed on Monday, 1st July, 2024, in the morning. The barge will be used as a landing platform from which passengers will be able to embark or disembark. It will remain in position for the whole duration, and it will exhibit a light at the most seaward section of the barge.

Any boats berthed or anchored within the area shown on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) are to be removed during the above-mentioned date and time. The Ports and Yachting Directorate, 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.

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

Chart affected: BA 177