A simplified version of boating regulations has been published in a booklet form and is to be distributed to boat builders, and outlets selling accessories to fishing enthusiasts. It may be obtained from the Parliamentary Secretariat for Small Business and the Self Employed, Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, Casa Leoni, St Joseph High Street, Sta. Venera and, in a few days’ time, online from the ministry website.

The publication is called Mistoqsija u Twegiba ghal Dghajjes ta’ Rikreazzjoni (Questions and Answers for Leisure Boats).

The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self Employed, Edwin Vassallo, said at the launch: “After a series of consultation meetings organised by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Small Business and the Self Employed with a number of boat builders, the boat builders themselves suggested that the government should publish a simplified explanation of the regulations so that boat owners or prospective boat owners, can be given information about the type of registration needed and whether fishing can be carried out, and if yes, details of type and location.

The reason for this proposal on behalf of the boat builders was because in many cases people interested in buying boats did not have enough information about these regulations, and this was hindering sales.”

All the entities in the sector were involved, including the Fisheries Department, the ALE section of the Police Depatrment, the AFM, the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA), the Malta Standards Authority (MSA) and the boatbuilders themselves.