The image below shows a variety of signs that indicate that divers (SCUBA or Freedivers) may be in the water nearby. These are superimposed on a map from www.maltadives.com showing some of the popular diving sites and wrecks around the Maltese Islands.
However, there are many other diving sites and wrecks around the Maltese islands which are well frequented. You can read and see underwater videos of them on https://www.maltadives.com. Whilst the most basic safety measure is to navigate slowly when in the vicinity of the coast, the signs on the image above indicate the following:
- Yellow buoy with X on top: Wreck – keep at least 100m away as per Notice to Mariners 42 of 2017 and Notice 48 of 2017. These are also considered as conservation areas and no bottom fishing is allowed. Distances to be kept vary between 200m and a specific smaller/larger area – more information from Notice 215 of 2023 – Conservation areas around wrecks (Updated December 2023). Transport Malta and Department of Fisheries are amongst the agencies which can enforce the limitations around these zones.
- White/Blue or Red with White Line Flags or Buoys:
- If on a boat (should be the white/blue flag), there are divers underwater around the boat. Keep a safe distance and navigate slowly. 100m will normally do but keep eyes open and slow navigation all around as divers might be just under the surface within easily a kilometre of the boat.
- If in the water, there is a diver (SCUBA or Freediving) nearby and you should keep a safe distance away as well.
- Refer to Notice to Mariners
- Red or Yellow sausage-like inflatable buoys: These indicate a SCUBA diver is located underneath or nearby.
- Keep away as well, the diver may not be able to surface at short notice and may have to spend anything between a few minutes up to an hour or more before surfacing! Stressing the diver can have deadly consequences.
- You are more likely to see these signs near diving boats and at wreck sites.
- If a similar sausage signal is spotted laying flat for a long period (at least a few minutes), approach slowly as it might indicate a diver in distress, or a lost marker. Look for diving support boats close by and get their attention prior to attempting to recover such an item. Note position and weather conditions (especially surface wind) and call 112 to ask if any diver has been reported missing if no boat or divers on shore are nearby.
Finally, divers in the water at surface use a few signs to send messages. Learn more in the video below.
Thank you for being considerate towards divers this summer. Enjoy your boating responsibly!
