Plan. – This sector describes the W and S coasts of Sicilia (Sicily), the Strait of Sicilia, and Malta Channel including the islands and banks S of Sicilia. The descriptive sequence is SE from Skerki Bank to the Maltese Islands, S from Capo San Vito to Capo Granitola, and then SE to Capo Passero. The other islands and banks are described with their adjacent coasts.

Off-lying Banks

14.1 Skerki Bank (37°50'N, 10°55'E) is centered about 35 miles NNW of Ras at Tib (Cap Bon), which is described in paragraph 8.14, and extends for about 35 miles in a general NE-SW direction. The bottom of this extensive bank consists of coral, rock, sand, and shells.

Sylvia Knoll, lying at the NE end of Skerki Bank, has a least depth of 12m. Biddlecombe Reef, with a depth of 6.7m, lies about 7 miles SW of Sylvia Bank.

Locust Patch, with a depth of 12m, lies 5 miles W of Keith Reef. Hecate Patch, with a depth of 7m, lies about 2 miles S of Locust Patch.

Keith Reef is the shallowest patch on the bank. It lies nearly 2 miles SSE of Biddlecombe Reef and is composed of compact limestone. A small rock, covered with weed, lies at the center of this reef and has a depth of 0.3m. It is usually marked by breakers. It is reported that the remains of a stranded wreck lie in the vicinity of this rock. In addition, two dangerous wrecks lie at the NE end of the rock.

Caution. – The currents in the vicinity of Skerki Bank are irregular in both rate and direction. The shoal patches are not always marked by breakers. Vessels should exercise caution and give the dangers on this bank a wide berth.

Isola di Pantellaria

14.2 Isola di Pantellaria (36°48'N, 12°00'E), a mountainous and volcanic island, lies 46 miles ESE of Ras at Tib (Cap Bon). Montagna Grande, 834m high, dominates this island. The coastal currents in the vicinity of the island vary in direction and velocity with the wind force and direction.

Pantellaria (36°50'N, 11°56'E), a small craft harbor, lies at the NW end of Isola di Pantellaria and is protected by breakwaters. Vessels may only anchor in one of the six designated anchorage areas after obtaining permission from the Harbor-master at Trapani.

Punta San Leonardo (36°50'N, 11°55'E), a low point, is located at the NW end of the island, close E of Pantellaria. A light is shown from a structure, 3m high, standing on this point. A cemetery, situated 0.5 mile SE of this point, is conspicuous.

Punta Bue Marino, low and dark, is located 0.5 mile ENE of Punta San Leonardo. Two coves lie close E of this point.

Punta Caruscia is located 1 mile ESE of Punta Bue Marino. Ancoraggio di Campobello lies between Punta Caruscia and Punta Pozzolana, 0.8 mile ESE, and affords anchorage, sheltered from W winds. Small vessels can obtain anchorage between these two points, in a depth of 29m, rock and weed. Local knowledge is required.

14.3 Punta Spadillo (36°48'N, 12°00'E), located 1.2 miles E of Punta Pozzolana, is the rocky NE extremity of a promontory on the W side of which is a cove. A light is shown from a structure, 21m high, standing on this point.


Punta Spadillo Light

Punta Tracino, marked by a light, is located 2.5 miles SE of Punta Spadillo. It is high and rocky. A small islet, almost as high as the point itself, lies close off the point and is surmounted by a small pillar. Anchorage can be obtained, in depths of 20 to 22m, sand with patches of rock, about 300m S of this small islet, but local knowledge is required.

Punta Limarsi, located 4 miles SSW of Punta Tracino, is rugged and rocky. A light is shown from a structure, 6m high, standing on this point. Anchorage can be obtained by small vessels in Porto Dietro Isola, a slight indentation, close NE of Punta Limarsi. A good berth, in depths of 22 to 27m, coarse sand with some rock, lies about 320m NE of Punta Limarsi, but local knowledge is required.

Punta Polacca is located 2.3 miles W of Punta Limarsi. The coast between is high and rocky.

Punta Tre Pietre, located 2.5 miles NW of Punta Polacca, is the SW extremity of a promontory which is fronted by three small above-water rocks. A light is shown from the W entrance point of Porto di Scauri, which lies 0.3 mile E of Punta Tre Pietre. Anchorage can be obtained, in a depth of 16m, coarse sand and rock, about 200m S of the light.

Caution. – A fishing and anchoring prohibited area extends up to 6 miles seaward from the vicinity of Punta Bue Mario Point and may best be seen on the chart.

A prohibited area, best seen on the chart, is located close off Punta del Gadir about 1 mile SE of Punta Spadillo.

A storage tanker (Tazerka) is moored in the vicinity of (36°36'N, 11°41'E), which is situated about 17 miles SW of Punta Tre Pietre.

Isole Pelagie

14.4 Isole Pelagie (35°52'N, 12°52'E), a group of three volcanic islands, consists of Isola di Linosa, Isola di Lampedusa, and Isola Lampione. The group is Italian and lies on the African continental shelf, SSE of Isola di Pantellaria.

Isola di Linosa (35°52'N, 12°52'E), the NE island of the group, lies 66 miles SE of Isola di Pantellaria. Monte Vulcano, 195m high, stands on the S side of the island; Monte Rosso, 186m high, stands 0.5 mile N of Monte Vulcano; and Monte di Ponente, 107m high, stands on the W side of the island.

A rocky patch, with a least depth of 3.9m, lies about 0.2 mile E of Punta Calcarella, the SE extremity of the island, and is the only off-lying danger. A depth of 14m lies about 0.2 mile offshore, on the N side of the island.

A light is shown from a prominent structure, 17m high, standing on Punta Beppe Tuccio, the NE extremity of the island. Another light is shown from a structure, 6m high, standing close NE of Punta Arena Bianca, the SW extremity of the island.


Punta Beppe Tuccio Light

14.5 Isolotto Lampione (Scoglio Lampione) (35°33'N, 12°19'E), a small island, lies 32 miles SW of Isola di Linosa. It is uninhabited, 40m high, and has a flat top with cliffy sides. When seen from the NW, this island appears like a wall rising from the sea. A light is shown from a structure, 6m high, standing on the W side of the island.

Isola Lampedusa (35°30'N, 12°36'E), the largest and S island of the group, lies 10 miles ESE of Isola di Lampione. This island is flat-topped and barren. Monte Albero Sole, 133m high, stands on its NW side and is prominent. There are no close off-lying dangers.

A light is shown from a structure, 19m high, standing on Capo Grecale, the NE extremity of the island. Two large masts are situated close W of the light. A marine farm, marked by a lighted buoy, has been established off the entrance to Cala Creta about 1 mile S of Capo Grecale.

A light is also shown from a structure, 6m high, standing on Capo Ponente, the SW extremity of the island. A prominent radio mast stands on a hill, 0.4 mile E of the light.


Capo Grecale Light

14.6 Lampedusa (35°30'N, 12°36'E), the capital of the island, is situated on its SE side. This small town is fronted by a harbor which consists of three coves. It is open to the S and is entered between Punta Guitgia and Punta Maccaferri, 0.2 mile

E. Both of these entrance points are marked by lights. A mole protects the inner harbor which is only suitable for small craft with lengths less than 30m and drafts up to 3m. Small coasters and fishing vessels, up to 80m in length, can anchor and moor, stern-to-shore, off Punta Maccaferri. The harbor can be contacted on VHF channel 14 or 16. Vessels can anchor, in a depth of 14m, sand and weed, off the harbor entrance.

The Maltese Islands

14.7 The Maltese Islands, an extensive group, consist of three main islands, Ghawdex (Gozo), Kemmuna (Comino), and Malta, and several islets which lie centered 90 miles ENE of Lampedusa.

Regulations. – A Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) has been established for Malta and can be contacted on VHF channels 69 or 16 (call sign: Coastal Station). Participation is mandatory for the following vessels:

Vessels of 300 gross tons and over.
Vessels carrying dangerous cargo.
Vessels not certified gas-free.
Vessels engaged in cargo-handling operations.
Vessels undergoing inerting, tank cleaning, gas freeing, or purging operations.
Vessels over 15m loa.
Mobile offshore rigs.
Vessels using a pilot.

The VTS includes the area within Maltese territorial waters and is responsible for monitoring shipping and receiving information within the area. This VTS also monitors vessels bound for a port in Malta or leaving the port VTS area.

Caution. – Oil drilling rigs may frequently be encountered between this group of islands and the S coast of Sicilia.

14.8 Ghawdex (Gozo) (36°03'N, 14°15'E), the NW island in the group, rises in high cliffs to a plateau. Several villages stand around the island and Victoria (Rabat), the largest town, is situated near its center.

Ras San Dimitri (36°04'N, 14°11'E), a high and steep-to promontory, forms the NW extremity of the island. A light is shown from a structure, 21m high, standing 1.7 miles E of Ras San Dimitri. This light structure surmounts Gordan, 161m high, a prominent hill.

From Ras San Dimitri, the coast trends generally SE for 8 miles to Ras il Qala, the SE extremity of the island. The N coast is generally free of off-lying dangers.

From Ras il Qala, the coast trends SW for 4 miles to Ras il Newhela, the S extremity of the island. Gebel tal Halfa, an islet, lies 0.3 mile WSW of Ras il Qala and is 22m high. Numerous above-water rocks encumber this stretch of the coast and depths of 18m or less extend S across North Comino Channel to Comino (Kemmuna).

Temporary anchorage can be taken, in a depth of 18m, sand, off the small harbor of Mgarr, which lies 1.5 miles WSW of Ras il Qala. This anchorage is exposed to E winds which blow through North Comino Channel and is also open to the S and SW.

From Ras il Newhela, the coast trends NW for 4 miles to Ras il Wardija, and then 2 miles N to Ras San Dimitri. This part of the coast rises in high cliffs from the sea, is steep-to, and is mostly free of dangers.

Caution. – A former explosive dumping area, 2 miles in diameter, lies about 3 miles N of Gozo.

A submarine cable area extends S from Gozo to Comino.

14.9 Comino (Kemmuna) (36°01'N, 14°20'E) a small island, lies nearly midway between Gozo and Malta and divides the channel into the North Comino Channel (Il Fliegu ta Ghawdex) and the South Comino Channel (Il Fliegu ta Malta). Passage through these two channels is restricted to noncommercial vessels and other vessels of 50m or less in length.

Kemmunett, a small rocky islet, is located close W of Comino (Kemmuna), and several above-water rocks lie between them. The NW extension of shoal water surrounding the islet is marked by a lighted beacon.

The currents in the passages on both sides of Comino are irregular in direction, sometimes setting against a strong wind, but their rates are usually less than 1 knot.

Sultan Rock, with a depth of 6m, is the E rock of Skoll tal-Abjad tal-Prosha, a group of dangers with a least depth of 5.5m, which lie about 0.2 mile E of the SE end of Comino.

Anchorage, with local knowledge, can be taken, in depths of 16 to 21m, in Il Mats, a small bay, lying on the W side of the island.

Caution. – A submarine cable area extends S from Comino to Malta.

14.10 Malta (35°55'N, 14°25'E), the S and largest island of the group, lies close S of Comino and 2.5 miles SE of Gozo. Valletta, the largest port and capital, is situated on the E side of the island and is also a tourist resort.

Ponta tal Cirkewwa (Ponta tal Marfa) (35°59'N, 14°20'E), the NW extremity of Malta, is a low point backed by high and sloping land. Shoals and above-water rocks extend up to about

0.2 mile N of this point.

A breakwater extends about 300m from Ponta tal Marfa. A ro-ro ferry terminal berth, with a depth of 5m alongside, is situated at the head of this breakwater. A conspicuous hotel, visible from all sides of the promontory, stands 0.2 mile E of Ponta tal Marfa.

The coast from Ponta tal Marfa slopes NE for 2 miles to Ponta ta l’Ahrax, the N extremity of the island, and is indented by several small bays.

From Ponta ta l’Ahrax, the coast then trends SE for 13 miles to Ponta taz Zonqor, the NE extremity of island. From N to S, this stretch of coast is broken by Mellieha Bay, St. Pauls Bay, Salina Bay, St. Georges Bay, St. Julians Bay, and Valletta Harbor.

14.11 Sikka il-Bajda (Balls Bank) (36°00'N, 14°24'E), with depths of 10.4 to 20m, lies 2 miles E of Ponta ta l’Ahrax. This shoal should be avoided.

From Ponta ta l’Ahrax to Dahlet ix-Xilep, 0.7 mile SE, the coast consists of high broken cliffs with rocks below them, especially near the latter point. Dahlet ix-Xilep is a high bluff surmounted by a conspicuous church. A prominent statue stands close to the edge of the cliff.

Mellieha Bay is entered between Dahlet ix-Xilep and Ras il-Griebeg, 1 mile SSE. There are submerged rocks and shoals in the bay, but it affords good anchorage during offshore winds to vessels with local knowledge.

Gzejjer Selmunet (St. Pauls island), an islet, lies close inshore, about 0.9 mile ESE of Ras il-Griebeg. This islet is divided into two parts which are joined by a low and narrow isthmus. A remarkable statue of Saint Paul stands on the summit, 40m high, of the higher and W part.

Saint Pauls Bay (Il Bajja ta’ San-Pawl il-Bahar) is entered between Gzejjer Selmunet and Ras il-Qawra, 1 mile SE. Selmun Palace, 23m high, stands on a hill, 1 mile WSW of the statue of Saint Paul. Several prominent oil tanks, painted silver, stand 0.4 mile SE of the palace. A concrete quay, 53m long, with depths of 2.1 to 3.4m alongside, is situated 0.6 mile SE of the palace.

A designated approach channel has been established in St. Paul’s Bay and may best be seen on the chart. Anchoring and fishing are prohibited in this channel. Marine farms, best seen on the chart, lie on the N side of the channel.

Anchorage, sheltered from offshore winds, can be obtained within the bay, in depths of over 18m. The holding ground is good, except on a rocky patch lying near the entrance. However, in depths of less than 20m, care should be taken to select a sandy spot.

A spit, with a least depth of 9.4m, extends about 0.5 mile ENE from Ras il-Qawra. A lighted buoy lies 0.2 mile NE of the extremity of the spit. Diving takes place in the vicinity of the buoy and it should be given a wide berth.

Salina Bay is entered between Ras il-Qawra and Ras-il Ghallis, 0.4 mile SSE. A salt works and a hotel stand at the head of this bay. A prominent tower stands close SE of Ras-il Ghallis.

The coast from Ras il-Qawra to Valletta, 5 miles SE, is indented by numerous bays which are suitable only for small craft with local knowledge. Above-water rocks and shallow shoal patches extend up to 0.3 mile seaward of the coast.

14.12 Saint George’s Point (36°56'N, 14°29'E), surmounted by a prominent tower, is the N entrance point of Saint George’s Bay. A radio mast stands 0.4 mile SW of the tower.

Outer St. George Rock, with a depth of 9.1m, is the N of several rocks lying on a spit which extends 0.7 mile NNE from the vicinity of St. George’s Point. Spinola Rock, with a depth of less than 1.8m, lies near the extremity of the spit.

St. Julian’s Point, located 0.7 mile SSE of Saint George’s Point, is the SE entrance point of St. Julians Bay.

Caution. – Anchoring and fishing prohibited areas lie in the approaches to Saint George’s Bay and Saint Julian’s Bay and may best be seen on the chart.

Vessels should exercise caution when off the coast between St. Paul’s Bay and Valletta Harbors due to the Pembroke Rifle Range areas. A red flag will be displayed from the tower on Saint George’s Point when firing is taking place on the range.

Valleta Harbors (35°54'N, 14°31'E)

World Port Index No. 40330

14.13 Valletta Harbors consists of two natural bays, each of which is comprised of several smaller bays or creeks.

Port of Valletta Home Page http://www.mma.gov.mt

Winds – Weather. – The Grecale, a strong NE wind, frequently sets up a rough sea and swell in the harbor entrance and approaches, and may make entry hazardous.

Tides – Currents. – The tidal range is almost negligible, being only 0.3m at springs.

Marrobbio surges or waves occur along this coast and may cause the water level in Valletta to fall rapidly as much as 0.3m with no warning. These surges may also cause destructive currents in the harbor.

Depths – Limitations. – The outer entrance has depths of 21 to 23m. The harbor fairway has depths of 9 to 23m.

Grand Harbor is the principal port of entry and handles practically all traffic, except tankers carrying petroleum with a flashpoint below 22.5°C. All other petroleum products, including LPG and explosives, are handled at Marsaxlokk Bay.

Parlatorio Wharf (Navy) can accommodate tankers up to 198m in length and 10.7m draft.

Deep Water Wharf is 490m long, with a depth of 10m alongside.

Flagstone Wharf is 217m long, with a depth of 12m alongside.

Crucifix Wharf, an extension of Deep Water Wharf, is 240m long with a depth of 10m alongside. It is used by passenger and cruise vessels.

Gun Wharf is 92m long with a depth of 7.4m alongside. It is used by ferries.

Laboratory Wharf and Magazine Wharf have a combined length of 440m with depths of 12.2 to 15m alongside. Bulk vessels up to 80,000 dwt and 13m draft can be accommodated.

There are also facilities for container and ro-ro vessels. A quay, with 240m of berthing space, is situated in Marsaxlokk and is used by oil exploration service vessels.

In addition, there are extensive repair facilities and drydocks which can accommodate vessels up to 300,000 dwt.

Aspect. – Marsamxett, the N harbor, is entered between Tigne Point and St. Elmo Point (Il-Ponta Sant’ Jiermu) and consists of Sliema Creek (Id-Dahla Ta’ Tas-Sliema), Lazaretto Creek, Msida Creek, and Pieta Creek.It serves as a quarantine anchorage and a mooring area for naval vessels. The naval installations consist mainly of small craft repair facilities. Alongside berthing space is limited and there is little or no commercial activity in Marsamxett, except for an extensive yacht harbor and an oil service base.

Grand Harbor, the S bay and main harbor, is entered between breakwaters which extend from St. Elmo Point and Ricasoli Point. It consists of Bighi Bay, Kalkara Creek, Dockyard Creek (Id-Dahla Tad Dockyard), French Creek, and Newport. This harbor contains the major naval facilities and the commercial port. Most of the commercial facilities are concentrated in Newport. Within this harbor, vessels work cargo into lighters from Mediterranean moorings. Dockyard Creek and French Creek are mostly reserved for naval vessels. The approaches to Grand Harbor present no navigational difficulties.

A light is shown from a structure standing on St. Elmo Point (Il-Ponta Sant’ Jiermu). An outer approach lighted buoy is moored about 1.2 miles NE of the light.

Lights mark the seaward ends of the breakwaters which protect the entrance to Grand Harbor.

Pilotage. – Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500 grt. Pilots can be contacted on VHF channel 12, 14, or 16 and generally board in the vicinity of the outer approach lighted buoy in good weather and near the harbor entrance in bad weather.

Vessels should send an ETA at least 2 hours in advance and when 5 miles from the outer approach lighted buoy. Vessels should also send their ETA to the Port Operations Manager 48 hours in advance through Malta (9HD).

Regulations. – A Vessel Traffic Service has been established for Valettaand can be contacted on VHF channel 12 or 16 (call sign: Valetta Port Control). Participation is mandatory for the following vessels:

Vessels of 300 gross tons and over.
Vessels carrying dangerous cargo.
Vessels not certified gas-free.
Vessels engaged in cargo-handling operations.
Vessels undergoing inerting, tank cleaning, gas freeing, or purging operations.
Vessels over 15m loa.
Mobile offshore rigs.
Vessels using a pilot.

The VTS includes the approaches to Valetta and Gozo, the harbor areas, the N and S channel between Malta and Gozo, bunkering areas and the waiting areas.

Vessels approaching the Valetta VTS from any direction should contact the VTS 2 hours prior to their ETA at the pilot station. Additional contact should be made 30 minutes prior to arrival at the pilot station. Reports should also be made when departing the harbor.

Signals. – The following traffic signals, shown from the Palace Tower and Fort Saint Angelo, do not apply to small craft or to vessels of less than 500 grt plying exclusively in the waters of Malta, providing such vessels or craft do not obstruct other vessels maneuvering in accordance with these signals:


Valleta from ESE

A red square flag by day or four red lights, shown vertically, at night indicate that no vessels can enter, leave, or obstruct the entrance channel to Grand Harbor.
A red diamond shape by day or a red light over a white light at night indicate that vessels may enter but not leave Grand Harbor.
Two red diamond shapes, shown vertically, by day or two red lights, shown vertically, at night indicate that vessels may leave but not enter Grand Harbor.
A blue triangular flag indicates that it is unsafe for boats and low powered craft to leave Grand Harbor or Marsamxett Harbor.

Vessels underway, with a pilot aboard, shall display International Code Flag H, by day, or a white light above a red light at night.

Vessels maneuvering, with a pilot aboard, will also display the following additional signals:

International Code Pennant 2 by day, or two white lights, shown vertically, at night indicate that the vessel is maneuvering to anchor or berth and must not be obstructed or passed closely.
International Code Flag G at the dip by day or three lights (red, white, red), shown vertically, at night indicate that the vessel is getting underway to proceed to sea and must not be overtaken or passed closely.
International Code Pennant 2 over the Answering Pennant by day or three lights (white, red, white), shown vertically, at night indicate that the vessel has stopped maneuvering and may be passed or overtaken.

Vessels carrying explosives and awaiting berthing instructions in or near the approaches to a harbor shall display a black ball above International Code Flag B by day, or three lights (white, red, red), shown vertically, at night.

A storm signal, consisting of a single black ball by day or a red light by night, may be shown from the palace and Fort Saint Angelo. This storm warning indicates a wind of force 5 or greater is expected between 010°and 120°in Valletta Harbor.

A scend warning is issued subsequent to a gale warning and is promulgated until the sea has fallen to a less than 1.5m in crease.

Anchorage. – There are numerous mooring berths for naval vessels in both harbors. Merchant vessels usually moor in Marsa Creek, Grand Harbor.

Caution. – Several anchorage prohibited areas lie within Valletta Harbors and may best be seen on the chart.

Several submarine cables, which may best be seen on the chart, extend seaward from the vicinity of St. Elmo Point (Il-Ponta Sant’ Jiermu) and extend N along the coast of the island.

Several submarine pipelines lie within the harbors and may best be seen on the chart.

14.14 Ponta taz Zonqor (35°52'N, 14°35'E), the low-lying NE point of Malta, is located 3 miles SE of Ricasoli Point, the SE entrance point of Valletta Harbors. It is marked by a stone beacon that has been reported to be difficult to identify. Several prominent radio masts are reported to stand close SE of Ricasoli Point.

Della Larga Forca, a detached bank with a depth of 9.1m, lies about 0.4 mile offshore, 1 mile NNW of Ponta taz Zonqor.

The coast extends S for 3 miles from Ponta taz Zonqor to Ponta ta Delimara and is indented by several shallow bays.

Sikka Zonqor, a detached 8.5m patch, lies about 0.4 mile ESE of Ponta taz Zonqor. Outer Munxar Rock, with a depth of 9.7m, is the E danger in this vicinity and lies about 1 mile off-shore, 1.5 miles ESE of Ponta taz Zonqor.

Ponta ta Delimara (35°49'N, 14°34'E), the NE entrance point of Marsaxlokk, is located at the S end of a peninsula which terminates in a yellow cliff, 15m high. A light is shown from a tower, 24m high, standing close N of the S extremity of the peninsula. Two prominent radio masts stand close SSE of the light. An islet, 4m high, lies close S of the point. Several rocks lie on the shore bank which extends S of this islet and is marked by a lighted buoy moored about 0.2 mile SSE of Ponta ta Delimara.

Hurd Bank (35°53'N, 14°45'E), formed of coral and sand, lies 10 miles ENE of Ponta taz Zonqor and has depths of 35 and 44m.

Caution. – A dumping ground, 0.4 mile in diameter, lies close N of Della Larga Forca and may best be seen on the chart.

A submarine pipeline extends 0.5 mile NE from a point on the shore, 1 mile SE of Ricasoli Point. Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity of this pipeline.

Commercial vessels may not enter the restricted area, which may best be seen on the chart, lying adjacent to the coast, 2 miles N of Ponta ta Delimara. This area extends up to 1.5 miles from the shore.

A current setting S has often been observed off the E end of Malta. During N winds, its rate increases and on occasion, it has been experienced as far off as Hurd Bank.

Marsaxlokk (Marsa Scirocco) (35°49'N, 14°33'E)

World Port Index No. 40340

14.15 Marsaxlokk is formed by an extensive bay which is entered between Ponta ta Delimara and Ponta ta Benghajsa, 1 mile WSW. The small towns of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga are situated, respectively, on the N and W sides of the bay.

Port of Marsaxlokk Home Page http://www.mma.gov.mt

Tides – Currents. – The tidal rise is negligible, being only 0.3m at springs. A very strong current sometimes sets NE about 1 mile off the entrance to the bay. It is caused apparently when the SE winds last several days, but usually ceases after two days of W winds.

Depths – Limitations. – Saint Lucien Oil Terminal, lying close SE of Fort Saint Lucien, consists of a fueling dolphin and several mooring buoys. Tankers are generally limited to 177m in length and 9.6m draft.

A new container facility includes Terminal 1 South Quay, 200m long, with a depth of 8m alongside; Terminal 1 West Quay, 168m long, with a depth of 9.8m alongside; Terminal 1 North Quay, 640m long, with a depth of 13.8m alongside; Terminal 2 West Q

ITALY – THE STRAIT OF SICILIA AND MALTA CHANNEL SECTOR 14