Eventually the Marsa oarsmen were given suspended sentences by a board of inquiry set up for the purpose, while their club was fined. The nine Marsamxett supporters accused of causing the chaos, on the other hand, were arraigned in court and later fined Lm500 each.

The new regulations issued by the Regatta Commission aim at nipping the problem in the bud. Rowers colliding with competing boats on purpose may receive a three-year suspension and be fined not less than Lm250.

It is very rare for a collision to be accidental, as the boats are kept 20 feet apart. Oarsmen who ram another boat will receive a more lenient punishment if they cooperate with the judges and withdraw from the race when they are asked to do so. The three-year suspension will be handed to those who ignore the judges’ orders during the race.

The judges have been also given discretion to stop and re-start a race should there be a collision within the first 200 metres. Those suspected of wrongdoing will be removed from the race and punished later. The decision to call foul play is left to the four judges who accompany the boats in the race and two starter judges.

The new regulations were discussed by the Regatta Commission on the initiative of the National Feasts Committee. The decision was agreed upon unanimously by the club representatives who form part of the commission, as well as other independent members.

The traditional Regatta participants are Marsamxett, Vittoriosa, Kalkara, Cospicua, Senglea and Marsa. In fact, it was the Marsamxett club that proposed the new penalties.

Following last year’s problems, the committee was asked to look into the matter by the then Youth and Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett. Commission Coordinator Joe Borda told The Malta Independent that he was very satisfied with the consensus reached by the members. “The new strict penalties will secure an orderly event this year,” Mr Borda concluded.