For the upcoming summer season, Transport Malta is reserving 48 bays around the Maltese Islands, 6 of which are in Gozo, exclusively for swimmers’ an initiative aimed at enhancing bathers’ and swimmers’ safety whilst at sea.

As from the 15th of June 2014, the Authority has also added Qajjenza Bay in Birzebbuga to the list of zones designated as Swimmers’ Zones (see list below).

The majority of the Swimmers’ Zones, being installed in phases, are applicable as from 15th June until 30th September 2014, with Blue Flagged bays (namely Golden Sands, Fond Ghadir, Qawra Point, Cirkewwa, St George’s Bay, Bugibba Perched Beach and Mellieha Bay) operative as from 1st June. Blue Lagoon was reserved as a swimmers’ zone from 1st May until 15th October 2014.

The reserved zones will be indicated by coloured marker buoys and ropes. Several bays have access to the beach through launching lanes which will also be marked by floats.

Transport Malta reminds mariners that vessels shall only enter through these lanes. No vessel is to be moored inside or close to the entrance of these lanes unless authorised by Transport Malta. Such lanes will be used solely for embarking and disembarking of passengers and by commercial and water sports vessel operators.

No vessels or objects which may endanger the safety of bathers can be used within a swimmers’ zone.

Other initiatives by Transport Malta include the installation of 40 speed marker buoys and four additional buoys to mark hazardous reefs which may pose a potential threat to mariners (at Marsalforn Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Gnejna Bay and Ghallis Rock in Qawra).

Transport Malta wishes both the swimmers and boat users an enjoyable safe summer and urges everyone to enjoy it responsibly.

List of Swimmers’ Zones for 2014

Gozo:

Qbajjar

Marsalforn

Ramla l-Hamra

San Blas

Hondoq ir-Rummien

Mgarr ix-Xini

Xlendi

Comino:

Blue Lagoon

San Niklaw

Santa Marija

MALTA

Gnejna Bay

Ghajn Tuffieha

Golden Bay

Paradise Bay

Cirkewwa

Armier Bay

Mellieha (Ghadira Bay)

Mellieha (It-Tunnara)

Mgiebah

Selmun

St Paul’s Bay (Tal-Veccja)

St Paul’s Bay (Tal-Ghazzelin)

St Paul’s Bay (Il-Fekruna)

St Paul’s Bay (Ix-Xemxija)

Bugibba (Main Square)

Bugibba (Perched Beach)

Qawra Bay (Fra Ben)

Qawra Bay (below seafront hotels)

Salina Bay

St Julian’s (St George’s Bay)

St Julian’s (Spinola Cavalieri)

St. Julians (Balluta)

St Julian’s (Spinola)

Tas-Sliema (Exiles)

Tas-Sliema (Fond Ghadir)

Tas-Sliema (Tigne)

Ta’ Xbiex

Marsamxett (Waterpolo Pitch)

Kalkara (Ir-Rinella)

Marsaskala (Iz-Zonqor)

Marsaskala (ex Jerma Hotel)

Marsaskala (St Thomas Bay)

Xrobb l-Ghagin

Delimara (Il-Kalanka)

Marsaxlokk

Birzebbuga

Birzebbuga (San Gorg)

NEW ZONE

Qajjenza

Total 48

Photograph: Alain Salvary

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