"The Recreational Diving Service Provider Regulations 2004" were enacted in Malta in 2004, the objective of these regulations being to ensure that all divers in Malta encounter the most pleasurable diving experience under the safest diving conditions possible.
These Regulations aim to:-
Maintain and improve upon, the high level of care already administered by the licensed dive centres of the Maltese Islands . To this end, all dive centres will now have to be licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority, which has defined minimum standards for facilities, equipment and service. Only licensed diving centres will be allowed to provide diving services to the public.
Achieve conformity with new European CEN Standards for Recreational Diving Service Providers. These new Standards provide the basis for the operational procedures detailed in the Maltese Regulations.
Any person wishing to dive needs to register at a dive centre prior to diving. Registration includes filling out a form of personal details and showing proof of qualifications (except for persons attending a PADI open-water course or equivalent; or a taster dive). In the case of minors, a written consent of parent or legal guardian is required.
All persons registering at a dive centre are required to fill out a medical questionnaire to show that they are medically fit to dive. Notwithstanding the answers in the medical statement, in any case of doubt or at the discretion of the director of diving, persons may be requested to undergo a full medical examination by a physician who shall give his approval in writing before diving.
Some divers will find that they are no longer obliged to be examined by a doctor depending on their medical history. A medical questionnaire will screen and highlight those people who must seek further medical advice and / or examination prior to diving.
Certain conditions will always be incompatible with diving and if you know you suffer from impaired health, you should make further enquiries before booking a diving holiday.
All divers will have to complete a registration form on arrival at the dive centre. This will include details of your diving qualification and a copy of your medical declaration.
If you intend to dive without a guide from the centre leading the dive (organized or independent diving), you will need to be PADI Advanced Open Water, CMAS 2 Star Diver or equivalent, otherwise you will have to be accompanied in the water by an Instructor. You are no longer obliged to obtain a Local Diving Permit.
There are no restrictions on age. The decision on minimum age will be at the discretion of the Instructor or as stipulated by the training agency for those undertaking a diving qualification. Written parental / guardian consent will be required for all divers under age 18.
The use of rebreathers, nitrox and trimix are sanctioned, subject to the normal restrictions of training and experience
Only licensed dive centres are allowed to offer the following diving services: Training and education, organised and guided diving, rental of scuba.
Only licensed operators, are allowed to offer scuba training or other recreational diving services. Qualified Instructors who wish to supervise training or diving for those less than PADI Advanced Open Water, CMAS 2 Star or equivalent, must do so through a licensed dive centre. The Instructor will first have to register with a dive centre, presenting his Instructor qualification and a copy of an annual medical examination by a Doctor specializing in diving medicine.
A Maltese Instructors Permit will no longer be required but a form of photographic identification issued by a licensed dive centre will have to be issued.
With the Regulations on the Statute Book, enforcement will become much easier and will be facilitated through the Enforcement Section of the Malta Tourism Authority. Diving Services will now be subject to the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act which stipulates both fines and possible imprisonment for those failing to comply.
Speedboat and ferry traffic can be quite heavy especially in peak summer months and in the Gozo Channel area. Divers are required to fly the code-A flag or use a Surface Marker Buoy. This is for your own protection.
Divers visiting the Maltese Islands will find visibility of up to 50 metres even at depths of 30 metres. There is little land surface run off to disturb visibility. However, while conditions are generally favourable, please be careful. Keep within your limitations and avoid over confidence.
Divers should be aware that there are two recompression chambers, one in Malta and another in Gozo. Contact details as follows:
Malta:
St Luke’s Hospital, Guardamangia, Malta. Staff there can be contacted for any
diving incidents requiring medical attention on: (00356) 21234765 or (00356)
21234766 or by dialling the emergency telephone number 196.
Gozo:
Gozo General Hospital, Victoria, Gozo.
Telephone tba
There should be no attempt to perform ‘in water’ recompression. In case of decompression sickness, do not delay contacting the highly competent diving specialists available.
Divers visiting the Maltese Islands will find visibility of up to 50 metres even at depths of 30 metres. There is little land surface run off to disturb visibility. However, while conditions are generally favourable, please be careful. Keep within your limitations and avoid over confidence.
In some areas of the Islands, diving is strictly prohibited in order to protect the archaeological underwater heritage. These areas will be pointed out to you when you receive instruction or obtain your diving permit.
If you come across archaeological or cultural finds while diving, you should report these to the authorities. Do not let temptation spoil your holiday. Removal of finds or failure to report them is considered unlawful. These guidelines, and those protecting natural fauna and flora, are common sense to sports' divers worldwide.
Spear fishing has become illegal in Maltese waters:
1. when using Scuba equipment (everywhere)
2. at night when using artificial light (with or without scuba)
3. in all zones designated as ‘marine conservation areas’ by the MEPA (with or without scuba)
4. in all zones already restricted by law SL425-01 (with or without scuba)
5. around all artificial reefs placed either for reasons of research or as an attractions for divers. These include but are not limited to all wrecks scuttled around Malta, Gozo and Comino. (with or without scuba)
Fishing, from boats and trawlers, is strictly forbidden over designated dive sites.