CHARTER · MALTA

Chartering a boat in Malta: licence, rules and safety

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LICENCEMalta's Small Ships Regulations say no one may drive a mechanically driven small ship (under 24 m) or tow a water-skier in Maltese waters without a nautical licence from Transport Malta. The regulation defines this rule by reference to small ships registered in Malta.

EMERGENCY AT SEACall RCC Malta on 112. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.

Licence and charter rules

Licence: Malta's Small Ships Regulations say no one may drive a mechanically driven small ship (under 24 m) or tow a water-skier in Maltese waters without a nautical licence from Transport Malta. The regulation defines this rule by reference to small ships registered in Malta.

Laws of Malta, S.L. 499.52 Small Ships Regulations · Laws of Malta, S.L. 499.52 Small Ships Regulations ▾
legislation.mt (2026-10-14): “No person shall drive any mechanically driven small ship, or tow any person for the purpose of water skiing, in the internal and territorial waters of Malta unless he is in possession of a nautical licence issued by the Authority”
legislation.mt (2026-10-14): “small ship" means any mechanically driven small ship navigating in the internal and territorial waters of Malta registered according to regulation 3.”

Season and weather

Forecast: The Malta MET Office (run by Malta International Airport) publishes a Mariners Forecast covering 50 NM around the Maltese coast.

Malta MET Office (Malta International Airport plc) ▾
maltairport.com (2026-10-14): “This forecast covers an area of 50 nautical mile radius off the Maltese coast.”

Rules on the water

Malta: Within 300 m of a sandy beach and within 200 m of any other shore, vessels must not go faster than 10 knots. Speed-restriction buoys are laid seasonally, from June to October, and may stay out later.

Transport Malta, Local Notice to Mariners 031 of 2023 · Transport Malta, Local Notice to Mariners 099 of 2026 ▾
transport.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “In other ports and harbours and internal waters, within 300m from the foreshore of a sandy beach and within 200m from other part of the foreshore, vessels are to proceed at a speed which does not exceed ten (10) knots.”
transport.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “The placement of the buoys is seasonal, from June to October but may still be in place after this date.”

Malta: Channel 16 is for distress, safety and calling only. Switch to a working channel once contact is made.

Transport Malta ▾
transport.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “Channel 16 is a DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING CHANNEL ONLY. Other than for distress Channel 16 must only be used to establish contact before going to a working channel.”

Hazards and warnings

Speed limit: mechanically driven small ships must not exceed 10 knots inside any harbour, within 300 m of a sandy beach, or within 200 m of any other shore.

Laws of Malta, S.L. 499.52 Small Ships Regulations · Laws of Malta, S.L. 499.52 Small Ships Regulations · Laws of Malta, S.L. 499.52 Small Ships Regulations ▾
legislation.mt (2026-10-14): “No person shall cause, suffer or permit any mechanically driven small ship to proceed at a speed in excess of ten knots”
legislation.mt (2026-10-14): “(a) inside any harbour; or (b) in any place within 300 metres of the foreshore of any”
legislation.mt (2026-10-14): “sandy beach; or (c) in any place within 200 metres of any other part of the foreshore”

Tidal changes and strong winds can cause hazardous currents and riptides.

Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14): “Tidal changes and strong winds can cause hazardous currents and riptides.”

On the radio

The Armed Forces of Malta Operations Centre is the Malta Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) and coordinates all SAR incidents in the Malta Search and Rescue Region.

Armed Forces of Malta · Armed Forces of Malta ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “it is the Malta Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) both for maritime as well as aeronautical incidents.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “The RCC is responsible to coordinate any SAR incident within the Malta Search and Rescue Region”

The same centre runs the Malta Coast Radio Station. It keeps a continuous watch on the international distress frequencies on VHF (coverage up to about 20 NM) and MF (about 200 NM), and sends safety messages on NAVTEX.

Armed Forces of Malta · Armed Forces of Malta ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “Another aspect taken on by OPCEN is the role of the Malta Coast Radio Station. In this role, a continuous listening watch is maintained on international distress radio frequencies in the VHF and MF bands.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “These communication means cover up to 20 nautical miles and 200 nautical miles respectively.”

Charter bases in Malta

Malta

Before you sail

All rescue numbers for Malta Print an emergency card Person overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerThunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doRan aground? What to do

Frequently asked

Do I need a licence to charter a boat in Malta?

Malta's Small Ships Regulations say no one may drive a mechanically driven small ship (under 24 m) or tow a water-skier in Maltese waters without a nautical licence from Transport Malta. The regulation defines this rule by reference to small ships registered in Malta.

When is the best time to sail in Malta, and when is storm season?

The Malta MET Office (run by Malta International Airport) publishes a Mariners Forecast covering 50 NM around the Maltese coast.

What is the emergency number at sea in Malta?

Call RCC Malta on 112. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Other charter countries

CroatiaGreeceTürkiyeItalySpainFrancePortugalBritish Virgin IslandsSaint-MartinSint MaartenSt Vincent & the GrenadinesGrenadaSt LuciaMartiniqueGuadeloupeBahamasThailandMalaysiaSeychellesFrench PolynesiaNew CaledoniaFijiSwedenNorwayDenmark

Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.