Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,430 of 29th April 2025

Reference is being made to Port Notice 3 of 2025 dated 25th April, 2025.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, is bringing the following to the attention of mariners and owners of vessels which have been authorised for the Operation of Commercial Passenger Transport Service to Blue Lagoon, Comino in Port Notice 3 of 2025, which can be found on Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The masters of the authorised vessels are to ensure that prior to approaching the Blue Lagoon area, for the purpose of disembarking their passengers ashore, are to first request clearance from the Maritime Enforcement Unit, who will consequently manage traffic accordingly and coordinate the berthing of vessels.

Vessels which have on board passengers who will be disembarking, holding the required QR code, are to ensure that passengers are ONLY allowed to disembark basis the slot that has been booked through the AMS. Passengers will only be allowed to disembark not earlier than 30 minutes before the time slot that has been booked through the AMS, as such Masters of vessel are to take note, in the interest of ensuring a coordinated approach.

Passengers that have not purchased a QR code from the Access Management System (AMS) for the particular time slot or purchased one for a different time slot will not be allowed to go ashore.

Mariners, operators and owners of vessels are reminded to ensure compliance with all Enforcement Authorities, including the Maritime Enforcement Unit who will be managing and coordinating vessel traffic in the area.

All mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout, navigate with caution and at slow speed (No Wake) when entering and navigating within the Blue Lagoon. They are to comply with instructions and directions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement officers on site.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta notifies mariners and the general public that clearing, repair works on the shore and underwater at Tigné Point, will be carried out within the area formed by joining A to B and the intermediate coastline, as shown in red on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The works from the crane-barge will commence with immediate effect and are expected to be completed by Saturday, 2nd August, 2025.

A silt curtain will be laid from points A to B as shown on the attached chart. A safety distance, of at least 10m from the silt curtains, shall be maintained at all times.

The works will be carried out with the use of a crane-barge which will be moored centred on the following position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

            35° 54'.506          14° 30'.732

Some of the works will be carried out by scuba divers who will be displaying the International Code of Signals flag “A".

Mariners and vessel operators are to navigate with caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity. They are to co-operate with the contractor on site.

Mariners are to comply with instructions issued on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Chart affected: BA 177