Floating bar proposed off Blue Lagoon

An application has been presented to develop a floating bar with the intention of anchoring it to the sea bed, outside swimming zone limits in various pristine locations popular with boat owners, including the secluded Mgiebah beach in Selmun, Armier, and the Blue Lagoon, San Niklaw and Santa Marija Bay in Comino.

The proposed bar will be set on a 104 square metres timber flooring. The structure, which will also include a second level of 27 square metres, will be anchored and taken to site by a tug boat.

David Sammut, who owns a boat maintenance company and filed the application, insists that the application is still at a preliminary stage.

“This is an innovative idea which has been on my mind for a very long time… I am only seeking to explore its feasibility with the authorities. That is why I applied for a permit. Nothing is at all definite yet”.

Sammut explained that the application refers to a number of locations because its placing would change according to prevailing wind conditions.

Asked about the environmental impact of the proposed venture, Sammut insisted that the structure would have the same visual impact as a boat or a barge. He also referred to photo montages which have been presented to the Planning Authority.  

Sammut also confirmed that the structure will include a “relaxing area with sun beds” and will be anchored to the seabed with four anchors. He believes a demand exists for a bar catering for the many boats frequenting beaches.

In 2015 the government issued a tender with the aim of creating two floating islands to serve as beach extensions – one in Marsalforn and another in Marsaskala. Not a single offer was submitted for the tender issued by the Gozo Ministry to build and manage a floating island at the area known as Banju tas-Sorijiet, in Marsalforn, while a tender for a similar structure in St Thomas Bay, Marsaskala, attracted just one offer.