Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,515 of 3rd October 2025

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a 10-minute fireworks display will be let off from a barge moored in the approximate point A, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), on Saturday, 4th October, 2025.

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35° 53'.697     14° 31'.342

The barge will be towed from the owner's shipyard to Rinella Bay Quay, on Saturday, 4th October, 2025, at around 6.00 a.m. for the loading of fireworks.

The barge showing the Bravo Flag by day and an all-around red light by night, will be loading the fireworks from Rinella Bay quay (Point B). Such loading will commence at 7.00 a.m. till around 6.00 p.m.

The loaded barge will cast off Rinella Bay at around 6.00 p.m. and will be secured in the position as mentioned above as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) by 7.00 p.m.

The fireworks display will then take place from point A, between 9.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.

After the fireworks display, the barge will be towed back to Rinella Bay quay for unloading of equipment, and soon afterwards it will be towed back to the owner's shipyard.

In view of the above, mariners are advised to keep 200 metres away from point A on the abovementioned date and time.

The Rinella Bay quay will be closed to the general public as of Friday, 3rd October, 2025, at noon until Saturday, 4th October, 2025, at 11.59 p.m.

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

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that the Royal Malta Yacht Club will be holding the Rolex Middle Sea Race on Saturday, 18th October, 2025.  In addition, a coastal race will also be held on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.

The race programme is as follows:

a) Wednesday, 15th October, 2025

The coastal race starts at 10.00 a.m.

The start and finish line will be at the entrance of Marsamxett Harbour between Tigne Point and a buoy laid in the vicinity of Fort St Elmo. The actual racecourse will be decided on the day depending on the weather conditions.

​Mariners are requested to keep away from the starting area outside Marsamxett Harbour, during the start of the coastal race between 9.45 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. and to keep a sharp lookout during the remaining hours on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.

b) Saturday, 18th October, 2025

The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts at approximately 11.00 a.m.

​The start is at the Grand Harbour, from an imaginary line between an inflatable buoy near Saint Angelo Point and the Valletta Saluting Battery mast.

The racing yachts shall then proceed in a North Easterly direction along the fairway in the Grand Harbour to an inflatable buoy, bearing the sponsor's logo, positioned outside the Saint Elmo Breakwater. The buoy shown as 1 on the charts 1 and 2 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) will be in the following approximate position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35⁰ 54'.160                 014⁰ 31'.540

​A restricted zone is being established near Buoy 1, as shown in red on the charts found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The racing yachts shall then proceed in a North Westerly direction towards St George's Shoals where a second inflatable buoy, bearing the sponsor's logo will be positioned. The buoy shown as 2 on chart 2 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) will be in the following approximate position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35⁰ 55'.650                 014⁰ 30'.070

A 200m restricted zone is being established around buoy 2.

The racing yachts will thereafter follow the course as shown on chart 2 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The racing yachts shall then proceed in a North–North Easterly direction towards Sicily.

Mariners and spectators are to navigate with caution and to keep a sharp lookout when in the vicinity of the above-mentioned courses and when sighted, give the participants a wide berth.

Mariners are also to keep out of the established zone round buoy 1, shown in red on the attached charts, and at least 200m away from the inflatable buoy 2 mentioned above.

All vessels not participating in the races are to maintain a safe distance of at least 50m from all the participating vessels at all times.

The Pembroke firing ranges will be inactive during the coastal race on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025, and during the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race on Saturday, 18th October, 2025.

Mariners are advised that on Saturday, 18th October, 2025 between 9.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. or such time as may be communicated on VHF channel 12 and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, if earlier, the Grand Harbour shall be closed for all traffic not directly related to the race.

During these times all other vessels shall be required to remain within designated areas in the inner harbour up to Ras Ħanżir, in Dockyard Creek, Kalkara Creek and Rinella Bay (the areas are shown on chart 1 found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt)).

No vessel will be allowed at the quay next to the fish market as this quay is being reserved for emergency vessels only.

Mariners are instructed to cooperate with the organizers and Maritime Enforcement officers in the area. Moreover, they are to comply with any instructions given on VHF channel 12 and /or 16 by Valletta VTS.

Positions are in WGS 84 Datum.

Charts affected: BA 177, 194, 2537,2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all mariners and sea vessel operators that filming activities will take place within the Valletta harbours.

Filming will take place on the listed dates and times at each of the following locations:

St Elmo – Marsamxett Port

Filming is scheduled to be carried out between Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 and Saturday, 11th October, 2025, near St Elmo at Marsamxett Port, from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., as shown on Chart A found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Grand Harbour Marina – Vittoriosa

Filming is scheduled to be carried out close to Pontoon D at the Grand Harbour Marina – Vittoriosa, between Tuesday, 14th October, 2025 and Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., as shown on Chart B found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Rinella Port Facility – Rinella Bay to out at sea

Filming is scheduled to be carried out from the Rinella Port Facility, Rinella Bay to out at sea, between Friday, 10th October, 2025 and Saturday, 11th October, 2025, and on Tuesday, 14th October, 2025, from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., as shown on Chart C found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

​Old Fishmarket Building – Grand Harbour to out at sea

Filming is scheduled to be carried out from the Old Fishmarket Building to out at sea, between Thursday, 9th October, 2025 and  Friday, 17th October, 2025, from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., as shown on Chart D found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

During the days and times mentioned above, for the safety of the swimmers and divers, mariners are advised to keep a sharp lookout and navigate at slow speed (no wake).

If on any of the days specified above, the filming cannot proceed due to bad weather, the filming will be held inside the Grand Harbour, as shown in Chart E found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt). Navigation will be restricted within the area in line with the points X, Y and Z.

A Securite message will be issued by Valletta VTS on the days when the filming takes place within the Grand Harbour.

No loitering is being requested. Consequently, Masters and operators of vessels transiting these areas shall not moor or drop anchor and must remain underway.

Mariners navigating in the vicinity of the indicated area on the mentioned dates and time are to keep watch on VHF Channel 12/16 and are to cooperate with the filming crew and/or any enforcement officers in the area.

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

Chart affected: BA 177

Reference is made to BA Chart 36 – Marsaxlokk

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that the South Cardinal Light at il-Ġebla ta' Ħajra at il-Bajja ta' Marsaxlokk flashing VQ(6)+LFl.10s (pole-mounted) in the following position:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35° 49'.746                 014° 32'.846

has been re-lit and is functioning properly.

​Notice to Mariners No. 35 of 2025 is hereby cancelled.