A new temporary pontoon has been installed by the Malta Maritime Authority at Comino’s Blue Lagoon to facilitate a more efficient and safer loading and unloading of passengers by boats visiting this popular summer swimming zone throughout the summer months.
The wood and stainless steel pontoon extends outwards from the existent concrete quay that lies adjacent to the sandy beach.
“We are conscious of the fact that during the busy summer months, swimmers and boats have to co-exist in a limited space. Our role through the annual Safety at Sea Campaign seeks to ensure that this co-existence happens effectively and securely for the safe enjoyment of the sea by all,” said Stanley Portelli, CEO of the Malta Maritime Authority.
Dr Portelli explained how the installation of this new pontoon led to a reorganisation of all the Blue Lagoon area.
Blue Lagoon is one of the three assigned swimmers’ zones in Comino and one of the most delicate zones in Malta due to the highly influx of swimmers and boats who during the busy summer months visit Comino to enjoy the lagoon’s crystalline waters. The constant increase in boats visiting the area led the authority to install this new pontoon in order to allow safer mooring for the loading and unloading of persons on and off Comino,” added Dr Portelli.
This new pontoon will not only help to create a safer environment for both swimmers and boat owners in the area but it has effectively led to an increase in the area of the actual zone reserved for swimmers. In fact, whereas before, the existent small sandy beach was located outside the swimmers zone, the new marker buoys that delineate this zone have now been re-aligned to this new pontoon thus increasing the area available for swimmers.
“As such, besides requesting boat owners to always apply prudence when approaching and disembarking passengers on this newly installed pontoon, we also urge the public to cooperate and refrain from accessing this pontoon or swimming in close proximity to it," Dr Portelli said
The pontoon will be dismantled towards the end of September with the end of the summer season.
The Malta Maritime Authority has also designated new anchorage areas for visiting craft at Blue Lagoon. These areas are demarcated by yellow marker buoys flashing yellow at night. For the benefit and safety of all mariners and bathers, the authority urged visitors to adhere to the new arrangements.
Mariners, it said, should proceed at a safe speed, keep a sharp lookout and remember that :
• all craft are prohibited from entering the swimmers’ zone;
• all craft are prohibited from mooring to any marker buoys and/or ropes delineating the zone.
• anchoring is only permitted within the two designated areas leaving a minimum distance of three metres from the swimmers’ zone.
• fairway to be kept clear at all times.