€400K yacht ‘Viva Malta’ still unused after two years

In December 2022, the Maltese government introduced a 50-foot Cookson racing yacht, Viva Malta, with considerable public fanfare. The launch was accompanied by promises of national sporting glory and increased opportunities for local sailors to compete in elite international sailing competitions. The vessel was intended to serve as a cornerstone of Malta’s competitive yachting ambitions.

However, more than two years later, the yacht has yet to participate in a single race. It remains moored at the Malta Maritime Hub in Marsa, generating ongoing costs while providing none of the anticipated benefits. The state of disuse raises significant concerns about public accountability, management transparency, and long-term planning within the agencies responsible for this high-profile investment.

Background: The purchase of Viva Malta

The Cookson yacht, purchased for €400,000 in public funds, was expected to become a flagship project for Maltese competitive sailing. At the unveiling event, Sports Minister Clifton Grima commended the purchase, referring to it as a transformative initiative aimed at elevating Malta’s status in the international yachting community.

The vessel was procured by Yachting Malta Ltd, a collaborative entity established through a partnership between the government and the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The vessel’s purchase was intended to enable Maltese sailors to participate in international regattas, while also serving as a training platform for young athletes. Despite the ambitious rhetoric, the reality has been far less inspiring.

A yacht left idle: Moored, not raced

Since the unveiling of Viva Malta, the yacht has remained idle. It has not participated in any local or international regattas, nor has it been used for training or developmental purposes. Insiders from the Malta Sailing Federation have indicated that the yacht has been subject to ongoing modifications and technical enhancements since it was first acquired. Yet there is no evidence that these modifications have brought the boat closer to seaworthiness or competitive readiness.

The yacht continues to accumulate costs, including routine maintenance, berthing fees, and other operational expenses, without delivering any return on investment. While such expenses are normal for competitive vessels, their justification hinges on active use—something that has yet to materialise.

Rejected requests from youth organisations

Adding to the controversy, several youth-focused sailing organisations reportedly approached Yachting Malta to use Viva Malta for training or educational purposes. All such requests were declined. The rejection of these proposals undermines the government’s stated goal of using the yacht to foster sailing talent and create new opportunities for Maltese youth.

The yacht, which was supposed to symbolise Malta’s commitment to sports excellence, now stands as a visible symbol of mismanagement. Observers have described it as “abandoned” at the dock—a neglected asset financed with public money.

Opaque acquisition process

Concerns over the purchase extend beyond the yacht’s current disuse. The procurement process itself remains shrouded in mystery. Despite repeated calls for transparency, Yachting Malta has not disclosed key details regarding the transaction. It remains unclear who the seller was, whether any intermediary brokers were involved, and how the €400,000 valuation was determined.

This lack of transparency violates standard principles of public procurement and raises questions about whether the transaction met basic governance and value-for-money criteria. Calls for an independent audit have so far gone unheeded.

Leadership under scrutiny

A central figure in this unfolding situation is Michael Mifsud, who holds dual roles as CEO of Yachting Malta and President of the Malta Sailing Federation. Mifsud has acknowledged that the boat remains non-operational but has failed to offer a clear explanation or detailed timeline for its activation. Critics argue that his overlapping positions may present a conflict of interest and contribute to the lack of independent oversight.

Despite his public role and the mounting criticism, Mifsud has not provided any detailed updates regarding the plan for Viva Malta, the racing team’s formation, or the strategy to ensure the yacht becomes race-ready. His silence has only intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability.

A failed four-year plan

The Malta Sailing Federation had previously announced a four-year strategic plan starting in 2021, which included competitive milestones and training goals. Nevertheless, by 2025, the plan appears to have fallen short of producing any concrete outcomes. The yacht remains stationary, and there is no clear roadmap indicating when or if it will be deployed for its intended purpose.

This failure has not only raised doubts about the efficacy of the Federation's leadership but also about SportMalta's role as the overarching body for national sports promotion. SportMalta’s apparent inaction in addressing the issue is seen by many as a missed opportunity to ensure that public investments are monitored and yield real value.

Symbol of bureaucratic stagnation

The case of Viva Malta reflects a broader issue often seen in public-sector projects—ambitious announcements without follow-through. What was initially billed as a transformative project for Maltese sport has instead become a cautionary tale of poorly managed expectations and wasted public funds.

The situation has drawn comparisons with other underperforming government projects in Malta, where symbolic gestures and high-profile launches are not backed by concrete implementation or accountability mechanisms.

Calls for accountability and reform

Given the unresolved questions and continued disuse of the yacht, multiple stakeholders—including civil society organisations, sports advocates, and members of the public—have called for an independent review. Such an investigation would not only assess the viability of the yacht project moving forward but would also scrutinise the decision-making and procurement processes behind it.

Legal experts suggest that, given the public nature of the funds and the lack of transparency, there may be grounds for parliamentary or auditor-general review. However, any such action would likely depend on political will, which has so far been lacking.

What next for Viva Malta?

As of mid-2025, Viva Malta remains moored in Marsa, a €400,000 investment yielding no return and creating reputational damage for Maltese sport. Whether the yacht will eventually be used for its intended purpose remains uncertain. Without a clear plan, transparent communication, and measurable outcomes, the vessel risks becoming a permanent monument to mismanagement.

Stakeholders are now watching closely for any signs of meaningful action. If the authorities fail to act, the case of Viva Malta could further erode public trust in the management of public funds, particularly in the field of sport—where Malta continues to face challenges in transparency and long-term planning.

Conclusion

The ongoing saga of Viva Malta stands as a sobering example of how well-intentioned public investments can falter in the absence of transparency, planning, and accountability. What was envisioned as a bold step toward enhancing Malta’s presence in international sailing has, in practice, become a static emblem of bureaucratic inertia.

Despite substantial financial outlay, public endorsements, and institutional support, the yacht has yet to fulfill even the most basic of its promised functions. Its continued inactivity not only reflects poorly on the agencies responsible but also undermines public confidence in the government’s ability to manage sporting initiatives effectively and transparently.

The lack of clarity surrounding the yacht’s purchase, its prolonged disuse, and the failure to offer opportunities for youth development all point to systemic weaknesses in oversight and governance. As public scrutiny intensifies, the Maltese authorities have a responsibility to act decisively—either by activating the yacht in accordance with its stated objectives or by conducting a thorough review to determine how such a lapse occurred and how it can be avoided in future public projects.

Until then, Viva Malta remains not a vessel of national pride, but a stark reminder of the consequences of misaligned priorities and a lack of institutional accountability.

FAQs

What is Viva Malta?
Viva Malta is a 50-foot Cookson racing yacht purchased by the Maltese government in 2022 for €400,000 to promote competitive sailing.

Why was Viva Malta purchased?
The yacht was intended to help Maltese sailors compete internationally and provide training opportunities for local youth in sailing.

Has Viva Malta participated in any races?
No, as of mid-2025, Viva Malta has not participated in a single race or training activity.

Where is the yacht currently located?
The yacht is moored at the Malta Maritime Hub in Marsa and remains unused.

Who manages Viva Malta?
Yachting Malta Ltd, a public-private entity partnered with the Royal Malta Yacht Club, manages the vessel.

Why has the yacht not been used?
According to officials, the yacht is undergoing upgrades, but no official timeline has been provided for its deployment.

Were youth organisations allowed to use Viva Malta?
No, requests by youth sailing groups to use the yacht for training were reportedly declined.

Was the purchase process transparent?
No, details such as the seller’s identity or broker involvement have not been disclosed, prompting transparency concerns.

What is the role of Michael Mifsud?
Michael Mifsud is both CEO of Yachting Malta and President of the Malta Sailing Federation, roles that have attracted scrutiny due to perceived conflicts of interest.

Is there any plan to activate the yacht?
No concrete plan has been published to date, and no progress timeline has been officially communicated.