In Buġibba, hundreds wait for permission to bring their boats back
Transport Malta reorganised berths near Gillieru, then left boat owners hanging
Updated 11am
About 200 boat owners who had been instructed to remove their vessels from the Buġibba harbour port for its reorganisation are still waiting to return to their newly allocated berths, despite the project now being completed.
“We don’t know what they are waiting for. The project is ready. These are the days we look forward to as sea lovers – taking out our boats and enjoying the weather – but we can’t,” said one boat owner who has been berthing his boat in the area for over 20 years.
Another said that, when they made inquiries, they were told the marina was awaiting the go-ahead from the harbour master and Transport Malta’s architect.
St Paul’s Bay mayor Ċensu Galea said he has received numerous complaints from boat owners who are still waiting for permission to use their berthing spots.
The boat owners had been told to remove their boats from the port located near Gillieru Restaurant about two months ago to allow for reorganisation works.
Over the past weeks Nationalist MP Ivan Castillo, who was recently appointed PN whip, shared several posts on social media flagging the issue and asking for a solution.
Fixed mooring
The ferry service between Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo was inaugurated on May 5. A few days later, boat owners were contacted and given their new berthing coordinates. They were also informed that the previous swinging mooring system – where boats are tied to a chain and move according to wind direction – had been replaced with a fixed mooring system, where boats are secured at both the bow and stern.
However, almost a month after the works were completed, they have still not been given the go-ahead by Transport Malta to use such mooring points.
Galea raised questions about the possible increased number of berthing spaces and how these would be allocated.
One boat owner said: “Inauguration done, photos taken, but only the fast ferry and commercial vessels have been accommodated… a handful of very rich people. The rest of us – hundreds who have used this port for years and paid the taxes to build it – are being left waiting with no information.”
Transport Malta replied to questions after publication.
It said permit owners are now being contacted "and are being granted access to moor their vessels in the designated area.
"The Authority remains committed to ensuring that all necessary processes are completed efficiently and in accordance with operational and safety requirements," Transport Malta said.