Notices to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette No 21,484 of 8th August 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners, owners of vessels and the general public that a re-organisation of Mellieha Bay, including fairways and mooring areas (Zones A, B, C, D,  L, M and N) as shown in the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) have been established as follows:

The limits of these areas are as follows:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A buffer-safety zone of 20 meters has been established at the end of the swimming zone area (as per Local Notice to Mariners No. 60 of 2025). All mariners must always keep this area clear at all times.

Mooring areas reserved for water sports and commercial vessels have been identified at the end of the buffer-safety zone as per areas 1,2,3 and 4 as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

​The limits of these areas are as follows:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

​Limits of water sports and commercial vessels launch lanes are as follows:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

Launch Lane 1Shore Point35° 58'.401N14° 21'.003E

Fairway Point35° 58'.424N14° 21'.044E

Launch Lane 2Shore Point35° 58'.375N14° 21'.000E

Fairway Point35° 58'.364N14° 21'.104E

Shore Point35° 58'.368N14° 20'.999E

Fairway Point35° 58'.358N14° 21'.107E

Launch Lane 3Shore Point35° 58'.337N14° 20'.996E

Fairway Point35° 58'.334N14° 21'.118E

Shore Point35° 58'.332N14° 20'.996E

Fairway Point35° 58'.329N14° 21'.122E

Launch Lane 4Shore Point35° 58'.164N14° 21'.050E

Fairway Point35° 58'.208N14° 21'.186E

Shore Point35° 58'.149N14° 21'.065E

Fairway Point35° 58'.188N14° 21'.196E

Launch Lane 5Shore Point35° 58'.060N14° 21'.144E

Fairway Point35° 58'.109N14° 21'.248E

Shore Point35° 58'.044N14° 21'.154E

Fairway Point35° 58'.094N14° 21'.246E

All fairways (and launch lanes) in between the abovementioned areas must be clear at all times. All mariners and vessel owners are reminded of their obligations to ensure safety at sea, which includes being aware of their location and ensuring that fairways are kept clear unless they are navigating.

In view of this, all mariners and vessel owners are to ensure that they have the correct navigational equipment on board, including paper charts or alternative digital means of navigation and/or a dedicated ENC or equivalent, which may also include the use of navigational applications on their smartphones or tablets, that would allow them to ascertain their exact location.

Mooring holders will be contacted in the coming days in the interest of clarifying related procedures and on this note we highlight the importance to mooring holders to ensure coordinates and procedures provided by the Yachting and Mooring Department are complied with.

To always ensure safety, the use of fishing gear and related ancillary is not allowed in these areas. 

In view of the above, mariners navigating in the area are to navigate with caution and at safe speed (no wake) and in line with speed limits established in the area.  They are to comply with the instructions as communicated by the Valletta Port Control (VTS) on VHF Channel 12 or by the Authority's officials or other enforcement agencies.

Local Notice to Mariners No. 96 of 2025 is hereby cancelled.

Chart affected: BA 211          

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, would like to notify mariners that an activity consisting of canoe races will be organised at Xlendi Bay.

The activity will be held on Sunday, 17th August, 2025, between 2.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m., within the area formed by joining points 3E and X, as shown in blue on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The swimmer Zone mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 60 of 2025 Item 3 between points 3C, 3D and 3E will be temporary suspended during the activity. Although this part of the swimmer zone is temporary suspended, only vessels involved in the activity are allowed to enter the area where the activity is being held.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution at slow speed (no wake) and keep away from the temporary launch lane.

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

Local Notice to Mariners No. 60 of 2025 is to be temporarily amended accordingly.

All the other information mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 60 of 2025 will remain valid.

Chart affected: BA 211

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that as part of the LIFE Archipelago Garnija project, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has established a number of restrictions, in line with:

The Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42).

The Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L 549.44).

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Marine Policy Framework Regulations (S.L. 549.62).

In order not to disturb the natural environment and habitats, all mariners shall, in addition to the above Directives, comply with the following accordingly:

Fully comply with the Requirements of the Collision Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Colregs 72 (as amended) concerning Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals.

The Rules for Lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in the Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out.

The use of ultra-long throw searchlights, laser, strobe, flashing and bright colored lights is prohibited in the areas as indicated on the charts found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Loud music, horns, sirens, and bells, other than as required by the Rules, are also prohibited in the areas as indicted on the charts found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Observation of any speed restrictions.

Maintaining a distance off as prescribed in this Notice.

Action will be taken against anybody not observing these restrictions.

Offenders may be liable to legal prosecution.

Blue Grotto – Qrendi  ‒  Chart 1

The restricted area is shown in red. It is formed by the imaginary line 1F to 1G and the intermediate coastline.  Navigation and anchoring are not permitted in the area except for vessels engaged in fishing, local commercial activities, and recreational diving operations during daylight hours.  Only compulsory lights and sound. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue – Formed by the imaginary lines 1A to 1B to 1C to 1D to 1E, the imaginary line 1F to 1G and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory lights and sounds. All year round and at all times.

Cominotto – Blue Lagoon  ‒  Chart 2

Shown in red – Formed by the imaginary lines 2C to 2B to 2D and the intermediate coastline ‒ No anchoring in the area, except for fishing and diving vessels operating during daylight hours. Maximum speed 3 knots. Only compulsory lights and sounds. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue – Formed by the imaginary lines 2A to 2B to 2C and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory lights and sounds. Maximum speed 10 knots. All year round and at all times.

Dwejra – Gozo  ‒  Chart 3

Shown in red – Formed by the imaginary lines 3A to 3B to 3C to 3D to 3E and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory sounds and lights allowed. Maximum speed 5 knots. All year round and at all times.

Majjistral NHP  ‒  Chart 4

Shown in red ‒ All transiting traffic to maintain a minimum distance of 100m from the cliff. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue ‒ Formed by the imaginary lines 4A to 4B to 4C to 4D to 4E and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory light and sounds. All year round and at all times.

Miġra l-Ferħa  ‒  Chart 5

Shown in red ‒ Formed by the imaginary line 5A to 5B and the intermediate coastline ‒ No navigation and no anchoring in the area, except for fishing and diving vessels operating during daylight hours.  Only compulsory light and sounds. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue ‒ All transiting traffic to maintain a minimum distance of 100m from the cliff. All year round and at all times.

Santa Marija Caves ‒  Chart 6

Shown in red – Formed by the imaginary line 6E to 6F and the intermediate coastline ‒ No anchoring in the area, except for fishing and diving vessels operating during daylight hours. Maximum speed 3 knots. Only compulsory lights and sound. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue – Formed by the imaginary lines 6A to 6B to 6C to 6D, the imaginary line 6E to 6F and the intermediate coastline ‒ No stopping and no anchoring zone of 0.5 NM except for fishing and diving vessels. Only compulsory lights and sound. All year round and at all times.

St Paul's Islands  ‒  Chart 7

Shown in red ‒ Formed by the imaginary lines 7A to 7B, the imaginary line 7C to 7D and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory lights and sound. Maximum speed 5 knots. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue – Formed by the circle of radius 0.5NM centred on point 7E ‒ Only compulsory lights and sound. All year round and at all times.

Ta' Ċenċ  ‒ Chart 8

Shown in red ‒ All transiting vessels to maintain a minimum distance of 100m from the cliffs. All year round and at all times.

Shown in blue – Formed by the imaginary lines 8A to 8B to 8C to 8D to 8E to 8F and the intermediate coastline ‒ Only compulsory sounds and lights allowed. Maximum speed 10 knots. All year round and at all times.

Mariners are also reminded to navigate with caution and slow speed and give the indicated areas a wide berth. They are to comply with any instructions given by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) on VHF Channel 12.

Notice to Mariners No. 9 of 2023 of Transport Malta is hereby cancelled.

Charts affected: BA 194, 211, 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that as part of an EU LIFE project, aimed at protecting the Yelkouan Shearwaters (Garnija), seabirds that breed on cliffs, a restricted area is established.  One such breeding area is located at Irdum tal-Madonna on the cliffs between il-Ponta tal-Aħrax and Daħlet ix-Xilep. 

The habitat and breeding ground of ten per cent (10%) of the world's population of Yelkouan Shearwaters, is located at Rdum tal-Madonna.  The Area has been designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and is now of International Importance and interest in the conservation of the species and of other seabirds. Light and noise seriously disturb the birds with the danger of them deserting the colony.

The buffer zone to the SPA (about 1.1 nautical mile from shore) lies between the following imaginary points and the intermediate coastline, as shown on chart 1 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

A                     35°59'.268      14°22'.574

B                     35°59'.231      14°23'.759

C                     36°00'.624      14°23'.088

D                     36°00'.874      14°22'.692

E                      35°59'.901      14°22'.057

In view of the above Masters of all vessels and craft are to adhere to the following conduct while transiting the area all year round.

No lights, other than lights prescribed in the Convention on the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (Colregs) shall be exhibited.  No loud noise from any vessel, other than the sound signals as prescribed in the Collision Regulations (Colregs), shall be permitted when navigating in or near the buffer zone.

Operators of pleasure cruises holding organised boat parties are obliged to follow the above guidelines.  All lights, not related to the navigation of the vessel, shall be extinguished when transiting the indicated area. Loud noise and music are not permitted in the SPA.

The letting off of petards and other fireworks from sea is strictly prohibited in or near the buffer zone to the SPA ‒ all year round.

The buffer zone to the SPA is a 'no stopping zone' for all vessels other than vessels carrying out fishing activities.

Fishing activities in the area using powerful bright lights (lampara, etc.) are prohibited in line with Regulation 4 of the Fishery Regulations (SL425.01) and Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea.

Further to the above, the Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that as part of the LIFE Archipelago Garnija project, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has established a number of restrictions, in line with:

The Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42).

The Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L 549.44).

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) transposed into Maltese legislation through the Marine Policy Framework Regulations (S.L. 549.62).

All vessels, other than vessels engaged in fishing and vessels engaged in recreational diving operations during daylight hours, are prohibited from anchoring in the area enclosed by the imaginary line X-Y and the intermediate coastline shown in red on the chart 2 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt). All vessels operating in this area shall not exceed the maximum permitted speed of 3 knots.

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

X                     35°59'.584      14°22'.339

Y                     35°59'.539      14°22'.361

Notice to Mariners No. 18 of 2024 of Transport Malta is hereby cancelled.

Charts affected: BA 211A, 2538, 2537, 194