On Saturday 5 August, an attempt will be made to “build” a boat bridge spanning five kilometres from Cirkewwa harbour in Malta to Mgarr harbour in Gozo.

This extraordinary event, aptly called The Bridge, is being organised to raise much-needed funds for two popular and deserving charitable institutions: Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi, Malta, and Arka Foundation in Ghajnsielem, Gozo.

The event is the brainchild of Victor Bezzina, managing director of Bezzina Ship Repair Yard, and Paul Portelli who has vast experience managing a number of NGOs. After obtaining the approval and endorsement of Mgr Lawrence Gatt, director of Dar tal-Providenza, and Mgr Manwel Curmi, director of Arka Foundation, they formed an action committee to organise the fund-raising event.

The committee started applying for the necessary permits from the various government authorities and from Gozo Channel Company Limited and found full cooperation, enthusiasm and wholehearted support for this spectacular event.

The organisers are also expecting a positive reply from the Records Management Team of the Guinness World Records to consider the event as a world-record attempt to put together the longest boat bridge between islands.

Every effort is being made to assemble as many boats of all shapes and sizes as possible to participate along the five-kilometre route on 5 August. It is planned to have a number of barges or large vessels anchored along the planned route that will have a cable extending between them in order to keep the participating boats aligned stem to stern all along the route. All the boats taking part will be guided to a pre-planned location along the route and the event will continue until the boat bridge between the islands is completed.

Boat owners will be contacted either directly by the organising committee or through boat-clubs and marinas to apply and commit themselves to participate in the world-record attempt. Direct contact can also be made with the organisers on telephone numbers 2182 4138 / 2182 6283 and 2182 9091 in order to obtain an application form or to ask for more information.