Earlier this month, Transport Malta issued a new set of rules which govern noise levels for boat parties.
Boat parties are a well-known and very popular activity throughout the Maltese summer for locals and tourists alike, but they can be a nuisance particularly due to the noise levels they create as they drag on late at night – noise which can sometimes be heard by those living in various coastal localities.
Transport Malta therefore have imposed new rules which state that sound checks in ports and bays are now not allowed, and, more importantly, that music on boat parties must stop by 11pm. Commercial boat parties operating near residential areas and environmentally sensitive areas must also adhere to strict noise control measures and reduce music volumes to a minimum.
The rule change followed complaints about excessive noise by residents of coastal localities to the Office of the Ombudsman, who then took up the matter with the authorities to ensure that the regulations are changed.
That such action has been taken is a positive: the fact that authorities have not just listened to the grievances of residents but also taken action on them, even if it comes at a compromise to those with commercial interests.
Malta has more than enough noise as it is, and people living here have the right to peace and quiet, especially at late hours of the night when they would want to be resting.
That is – unless you live in Valletta.
This is where the musical inconsistency is. The music has been lowered for those who live on the coast, but those who live in the capital must still contend with the inconvenience of music being played from commercial establishments until 1am.
It seems that the residents of the capital, in this sense, are children of a lesser god.
Their protestations back in 2022 when the legal notice that allowed commercial establishments in several streets in Valletta to be able to continue playing music until 1am fell on deaf ears.
Tourism Minister at the time Clayton Bartolo had justified the decision by saying that it came after a discussion and because tourists had expressed a desire to go out for a drink in the capital city after having gone out to eat.
The Valletta mayor Alfred Zammit had said that residents were misguided, as the legal notice says that from 11pm to 1am, the establishments should only be able to play moderate music – which means that one would be able to hold a conversation over it.
The word “compromise” was used a lot – but the key to compromise is really seeing who is the one doing the compromising.