I was planning a round Malta trip on a day in July. Have never done it before. Any body knows if there are any dangerous "sikek" that might not be that visible, I should be aware of?? Also from which ports can I re-fuel? Estimating I would be cruising in the 20-25 kts range, how many hrs should such a trip take?
It's more or less 40nm, so you'd be looking at around 2 hrs at 20 knots and consumption accordingly.
You can refuel at: Mgarr Gozo, M'Skala, Pieta (24x7)
As skip said it is approximately 40nm, i measured it on my gps software, it is about 72km given that you won't go around gozo or commino (just malta) and you won't enter the bays but take the shortest routes from point to point
Thanks for the info. I will be entering some ports too. Any reefs I should be aware of?
Imp to note that consumption will vary according to weather conditions aswell !!!
Chris 8)
Why not go around Gozo.... say at 7-9 knots and stay trolling in the meantime.... just a suggestion.
Reef off St thomas Bay very dangeous
Went around Gozo many times but never round Malta. Only concerned about any reefs I don't know of since im not familiar with the coast.....
Be carefull of sikka tal munxar
If not mistaken there is a reef somewhere between dingli and paradise bay but you have to be close to the shore within 50m or so . Cant remeber exactly where but noticed it cause I always taught of going round malta. May be subject to correction but worth keeping an eye open if going very close to the shore. Regarding the munxar check the draft especially if there would be deep swells which will reduce the draft.
The is a reef called 'il gebla ta ganni l-iswed' in the zurrieq area. I know someone who damaged a perfectly new yatch on that particular reef. Don't know the exact location though !!
In my opinion if you keep to a safe distance offshore you should have no issues whatsoever. I like to run around 1/2 to 3/4nm off from the shore
yes yes it called ganni liswed haha!! just infront the reverseosmosis of ghar lapsi
Pass from the outer side of it since there will be people fishing from land infront of it. Its only about 40 metres out and is pretty exposed out of the water.
There is another one at gnejna bay, It is located on the left side of the bay (coming out of the the bay) in naha tal garraxijiet biex niftemu. So try pass from the middle of the bay if you will be entering to be safe since i dont know exactly how far out it is. It's at the mouth of the bay so once your 100 metres or so in your safe.
Another one at ghadira but i dont know exactly where it is but ive seen a boat damaged pretty bad, maybe someone can help you with the one at ghadira since i dont realy go those sides of malta with the boat
You might also need to be carefull from the rocks above you :D
So in the rocky cliffs of dingli area do not get too close to the sore since that you would interfere with locals fishing from above, and you never know.!!!!!!
The one at Ghadira is exactely in the middle of the bay. It is clearly market with a Maritime Bouy.
The one at devils reef or Qammieh just between Paradise Bay and Popeye is dangerous in that are. For about 50-70 meters it is very shallow.
The best is as skip mentioned keep a safe distance of around 500 meters.
Thanks a lot guys! ;) Will a gps map show any reefs around the maltese islands?
yes- but you must have a blue chart installed
Ok so it should not be a problem......
The one you are saying at gnejna bay , lapsi boy , in summer they mark it with a jerry can , in fact they already did cause i was spearfishing there yestarday. Its quit dangerous cause most of the time one can notice blue antifauling paint on the rock , which means a lot of crafts hit it.
there you are :)...Fabrizio if by any chance you find a couple of lures stuck there they are mine then i send you my adress and you can get them over :P ;D
While we are talking about these dangerous zones, where can we report so that proper Bouys are installed. I am talking about the Gnejna one which is very dangerous especially at night. Maybe Skip or other members knows some people from above who can give the orders.
at fomm ir rih area there is more than 1 for sure if not mistaken
if one has a bluechart you find it marked as a dangerous rock
There isn't really anything to report Moonwalker. It's basically up to you to be careful where they are especially when these so called reefs actually form part of the mainland when the sea level is at the chart datum. Eg. Qawra Point. I'm not saying it would not be a good idea to have them marked but the above is the reply I got when discussing the subject with a Captain. If it forms part of the mainland when at chart datum level, then it is not a reef!
But the Gnejna "SKOLL" is not part of the mainland. Its in the middle of the bay and afaik such reefs should have a proper Bouy installed on them. I am talking about Gnejna since I dont know about other ports.
To give fuel to an argument.
Why is it that after the Gozo Channel Line hit the cominotto reef (that is part of mainland) then they installed a Bouy?
Another one I can think of Is the armier reef. But if you pass at least 50 meters from it, it is ok.
Adrian
I have a garmin gps 185 model which takes the card map. I intend to buy it in two weeks and since im told it will show any reefs on the screen, plus i would be super vigilant, I should be OK. I will take a note of all the reefs mentioned here too and be more cautious when being in their vicinity.