Grand Harbour and its surrounding areas will be a hive of activity this month, with sailing marathons, live cannon exercises and repair work on the St Elmo breakwater arms.

The Malta Maritime Authority issued notices yesterday advising mariners of these activities. Towards the end of the month, on 23 August, two Greek ships from the Hellenic Naval Academy, the Aegean and the Prometheus, will be carrying out a live cannon exercise within a circle of ten nautical miles radius, centered on the following coordinates: Latitude (N) 036° 25.6’ and 018° 00.9’ between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.

In addition, the Vikings Sailing Club will be holding a 50-hour sailing marathon for charity in Marsamxetto Harbour.

Weather permitting, the marathon will take place inside Marsamxetto Harbour. It will start from the Vikings Sailing Club at Hay Wharf, Floriana at 5.00pm on Friday, 19 August and end at 7.00pm on Sunday, 21 August.

Moreover, on 10 August, repair work will begin on the breakwater arm of Grand Harbour.

This work has now been extended to the shore end of the St Elmo breakwater and to the bull nose of the Ricasoli breakwater.

It will be carried out by divers assisted by barges, possibly with the support boat Kirby.

Mariners are to note the above and give a wide berth when the support boat Kirby and barges are visible at St Elmo/Ricasoli breakwaters. This also applies to the sailing boats participating in the 50-hour sailing marathon.