Wednesday, 25th November 2009 - 16:54CET
MMA issues call for temporary marinas in Xemxija, Salina
Xemxija Bay.
The Maritime Authority has issued a request for proposals for the management and operation of organised mooring areas in Xemxija and Salina bays, for a period of five years.
It said such an arrangement would provide extra capacity required to handle the peaks in demand for berthing spaces for boats in excess of 4 metres during the summer . The concept is based on the installation of temporary facilities during summer. They will be removed in winter.
The selected operator/s will be required to invest in mooring infrastructure and organise the mooring areas in a configuration as approved by the Authority. The operator will also provide a range of services such as berthing assistance, provision of supplies and other related services.
Stanley Portelli, CEO of the Malta Maritime Authority said the the MMA's objective was to provide the right conditions and environment for the yachting industry to grow and prosper through the maximization of Malta's coastal and land limitations.
The preview document can be downloaded from the Authority's website www.mma.gov.mt. Proposals will be received up to Friday 18th December 2009.
TEMPORARY MARINA IN KALKARA
A Request for Proposals for the operation of a temporary marina in Kalkara will also be issued in the coming days and the Royal Malta Yacht Club has also submitted an application to develop a temporary marina in Ta'Xbiex as part of the new yacht club, the MMA said.
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Comments
This project if materialised it will mean that hundreds of fishermen will certainly face difficulties and risk losing their daily bread. On the other hand one needs to remember that the proposed area is next to a swimming zone. Obviously this decision is only based on the financial side of it, while it ignores totally the health hazard a yacht marina will cause to any swimmer swimming in an area loaded with yachts. Apart from that, before the MMA embark on a yacht marina, first and foremost it needs to provide decent parking facilities to the area in question.
Alfred Grima
St Paul’s Bay Local Councillor: grimaalf@hotmail.com
The most important things for this country are the creating of jobs and earning more income for the government, i.e. the country. Additonal Yacht Marinas will reach these two goals, and hopefully some of the money would come from foreign yachts, since such income would be even better for the economy.
I would have supported your claim for Djalogu if the government was considering an industrial project or building development in Xemxija or in a similar place, but a yacht marina should not under normal circumstances create problems to the residents. If anything it should enhance the area and increase business to the various outlets of the area.
Imagine some years back the government went to dialalogue with the Vittoriosa people - a Labour stronghold - before giving permission for the Yacht Marina or the development of the waterfront.
Frank as a boat owner yourself, I would have thought you will be more frank and support the additional marinas, since these will help a little bit more to solve the country's present problems, albeit this may hurt someone.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
How about asking the local residents how they feel about this project before we go any further?
Djalogu - remember ?
Dr Frank Portelli