Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette No 21,714 of 4th September 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers will take place at Manoel Island as shown in the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 5th September, 2026, between 7.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.

A craft will assist the divers and will display the International Code of Signals flag 'A'.

Mariners are advised to keep at least 100m safety distance from the abovementioned area, maintain a sharp lookout and navigate with extreme caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity, on the stipulated date and time.

They are to cooperate with the organisers and to comply with any instructions issued 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 mariners that a seabed clean-up operation by divers will take place in Vittoriosa, within the hatched area as shown in the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

The clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, 12th September, 2026, between 7.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.

Jet Skis and Kayaks will assist the divers and will display the International Code of Signals flag 'A'.

Mariners are advised to keep at least 100m safety distance from the abovementioned area, maintain a sharp lookout and navigate with extreme caution and at slow speed (no wake) when in the vicinity, on the stipulated date and time.

They are to cooperate with the organisers and to comply with any instructions issued 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 mariners that the positions of the two fireworks barges have been revised.

The new positions are listed below and are indicated on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Local Notice to Mariners No. 158 of 2026 is to be amended accordingly.

All the other information mentioned in Local Notice to Mariners No. 158 of 2026 will remain valid.

Chart affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies mariners that the Royal Malta Yacht Club will be organising a sailing regatta within il-Fliegu ta' Kemmuna.

The regatta will take place within the area indicated on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt) on the following dates and times:

On Saturday, 19th September, 2026, between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., on Sunday, 20th September, 2026, between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., and on Monday, 21st September, 2026, between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.

Orange inflatable marker buoys delineating the racecourse within the above-mentioned area will be laid before racing begins each day and removed by 6.00 p.m.

Mariners are advised that several sailing vessels will be participating in a regatta within the designated area. Vessels not involved in the event are to keep well clear of the competing yachts, navigate with caution, and comply with any instructions issued by race officials, support craft, or enforcement personnel operating in the area. Mariners are further reminded of their obligations under Rule 18 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), and shall keep out of the way of the sailing vessels participating in the regatta.

All vessels transiting in the vicinity are requested to proceed at a safe speed and with due regard to the safety of the participants.

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

Charts affected: BA 177, 2538, 2537

The Ports and Yachting Directorate of Transport Malta, advises mariners that a survey and scientific research program will take place in the waters surrounding Malta and in the channel between Malta and Sicily.

Weather permitting, operations are set to begin on Sunday, 20th September, 2026, and will conclude on Saturday, 31st October, 2026. Survey activities will be conducted continuously, both day and night.

The research vessel M.V. G. Dallaporta (IMO 9250062) will be involved in various survey operations, including towing research trawl nets. At times, the vessel may remain stationary while deploying pelagic trawl nets and scientific echosounders, which will limit its ability to manoeuvre.

The survey vessel will display the appropriate lights and signals in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), and the International Code of Signals.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the survey vessel and always to maintain a minimum safe distance of 0.5 nautical miles.

All vessels are to observe any instructions given on VHF channel 69 and /or 16 by Malta Coastal Station (Malta VTS) and on VHF channel 12 by Valletta VTS when crossing the channel between Sicily and Malta.

Charts affected: BA 194, 2123, 2124, 2537, 2538 and Int. 301

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that a visual and passive acoustic monitoring survey of cetaceans (and other marine species) will be carried out within the Maltese territorial waters.

Weather permitting, the survey/research is planned to commence immediately and be completed by Wednesday, 30th September, 2026. Surveys will be conducted during both day and night periods.

Part of the works involves the survey vessel R.V. Song of the Whale (call sign MDSX7) deploying passive acoustic monitoring instruments. Consequently, at certain times, the vessel may be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre and should be given appropriate consideration by other vessels operating in the area.

The survey vessel shall exhibit the appropriate lights and shape signals in accordance with the Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS), and with the International Code of Signals.

Mariners are instructed to navigate with caution when the above-mentioned vessel is sighted and maintain a safe distance of 0.3 nautical miles from the vessel.

They are to observe any instructions given on VHF channel 69 and /or 16 by Malta Coastal Station (Malta VTS) and on VHF channel 12 by Valletta VTS when crossing the channel between Sicily and Malta.

Charts affected: BA 194, 2123, 2124, 2537, 2538 and Int. 301

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM