Security forces rehearse Papal Grand Harbour crossing

The police and the Armed Forces of Malta yesterday rehearsed the Pope's Grand Harbour crossing to meet youths at Valletta Waterfront on Sunday afternoon.

Two patrol boats were used; one representing the catamaran on which the Pope will travel and another, the boat carrying journalists.

The Curia urged all boat owners to participate with their boats, sailing boats or yachts on the trip with Pope Benedict XVI, which will leave from Kalkara Creek to Valletta Waterfront between 4.45 and 5.15 p.m.

The intention is for vessels to escort the catamaran.

The Pope will travel on the Catamaran San Pawl, just as Pope John Paul II had done in 1990 when he sailed into Grand Harbour accompanied by a flotilla of boats. The Malta Regatta Boats will also accompany the catamaran during the journey.

Boats of 12 metres in length or less may join the catamaran all the way, maintaining a minimum distance of 50 metres from the catamaran. Boats over 12 metres have to follow instructions by the AFM.

For more information visit the Transport Malta website www.transport.gov.mt/mediacenter/PDFs/1_NTM%2018-10.pdf.

All participants are urged to cooperate with the organisational team for the crossing to proceed efficiently and without difficulty.