Transport Malta intends to cordon off part of the picturesque Wied il-Ghasri in Gozo and make it only accessible to swimmers and not boats next summer, the Transport Ministry told The Malta Independent.

A number of boats entering Wied il-Ghasri bay on Sunday 19 August was a concern for swimmers in the area, with three speedboats moving slowly right between bathers, heading very close to the pebbly bay entrance where swimmers could stand in the water.

The three small speedboats, who were moving quite slowly, had to slowly turn and head back out of the bay while navigating around swimmers and snorkelers, a situation which was define=telly not safe. A second incident later in the day saw another boat further out, although again there were swimmers in front and behind it.

Wied il-Ghasri is a very unique bay, more like a large canal situated in a valley, and is quite a wild beach. After the speedboats left, a white foamy substance could be seen over the bay, clearly not a pleasant sight for the bathers in the area.

This newsroom asked Transport Malta whether boats are allowed into this picturesque and one of a kind bays, given the pollution they bring and the potential danger to swimmers given the bay’s confined space.

The Transport Ministry, in response, said: “The regulations state that within 200m from a rocky shore the speed for a seacraft should never exceed 10 knots and that all vessels are required to maintain a safe speed at all times according to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. This means that if the seacraft is navigating close to other vessels or swimmers, the speed should be much less than 10 knots so that the skipper has full control of the situation. The skipper also has an obligation to keep a constant lookout for swimmers, divers and other dangers.”

“Having said this, TM will start the process so that for next summer, part of the area is segregated to make it accessible to swimmers only.”