MALTESE ISLANDS (MALTA, GOZO, COMINO)

Malta: boating safety

Last verified:

Malta's charter and yachting hub is the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour area around Valletta, which holds several large marinas. Typical trips go around Malta, to Comino's Blue Lagoon and to Gozo, and some cross to Sicily.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 112
Call RCC Malta on 112. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Malta: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Valletta VTS (Transport Malta) works on VHF channel 12. All vessels in Maltese ports, internal waters and designated areas of the territorial waters must keep a listening watch at all times, whether under way, at anchor or berthed.

Transport Malta · Transport Malta ▾
transport.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “Valletta VTS VHF Channel 12”
transport.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “All vessels within Maltese ports, internal waters and designated areas within territorial waters navigating or at anchor or secured at berth, shall at all times maintain a listening watch”

Grand Harbour Marina (Birgu) listens on VHF channel 13.

Grand Harbour Marina ▾
ghm.com.mt (2026-10-14): “+356 21 800 700 VHF Channel 13 Max. LOA 100m”

Local rules

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.”

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.”

Hospital and medical

Mater Dei Hospital (Msida) has a 24-hour Emergency Department (A&E) on level -1 of Block D5. Gozo General Hospital runs a hyperbaric unit that treats divers with decompression sickness.

Mater Dei Hospital · Mater Dei Hospital · Government of Malta, Department of Information (press release, 13 March 2026) ▾
materdeihospital.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “The Emergency Department (A&E) is located at level -1 of Block D5”
materdeihospital.gov.mt (2026-10-14): “The Department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
gov.mt (2026-10-14): “emergency treatment of divers suffering from decompression sickness”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Malta?

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

How do I contact the harbour in Malta?

Valletta VTS (Transport Malta) works on VHF channel 12. All vessels in Maltese ports, internal waters and designated areas of the territorial waters must keep a listening watch at all times, whether under way, at anchor or berthed.

Read before you sail

Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerChartering in Malta: licence & rules

Nearby destinations

Lipari / Aeolian Islands 155 nmNaples / Amalfi Coast 295 nmCorfu 339 nmOlbia / Costa Smeralda 380 nmDubrovnik 437 nmKotor 438 nmAjaccio / Bonifacio 450 nmElba / Tuscan Archipelago 458 nm

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com