The Imperial Gozo Yacht Club was formed in August 2006 as an organization representing the sport of sailing and power boating in Gozo. The club has grown rapidly, to over 85 members, both Gozitan and Maltese, mostly with vessels moored at Mgarr harbor.

The club has acquired the use of and has renovated a small part of the old Mgarr Pumping Station which is located at the center of the historic section of the harbor. This will serve as the club’s administrative office and will be a base from which the club can further expand its educational, social and boating activities.

Capping off an active year, the Imperial Gozo Yacht Club opened its new premises at Mgarr, Gozo on Saturday October 20th 2007. The Hon. Minister Giovanna Debono, officially opened the new club premises and later also presented the prizes for the club main sailing event, the G2-Sagra Famiglia Regatta. Also present for the openeing cermony was Ghajnsielem Mayor Francis Cauchi, who presented the prizes for the laser dinghy races sponsored by the Ghajnsielem Local Council. The acitivites were followed by a dinner for club members and guests at the three resturants directly opposite from the club at Mgarr.

The main sailing event of the club was the G2-Sagra Famiglia regatta which was held in September and consisted of two races starting from Xatt l-Ahmar, off the coast of Gozo, and around Comino. The G2-Sagra Famiglia Cup and regatta were sponsored and setup by Mr. Angelo Bajada in memory of his father Vitor Bajada (1900-1979) who commissioned was co-owner of the ‘dghajsa tal-latini’ (traditional Gozo cargo boat with lateen sails) bearing the name “Sagra Famiglia” and originally registered as “G2.” This “dghajsa tal-latini” was built by the Caruana brothers at Kalkara in 1933 and is one of the few remaining such boats. After several changes in ownership and many years of neglect, the Sagra Famiglia boat was entrusted to Wirt Ghawdex, Gozo’s heritage society, and is currently being restored at Mgarr by the Caruana brothers sons of one of the original builders. The “dghajsa tal-latini” is the unique symbol of Gozo’s maritime heritage and is depicted at the center of the Imperial Gozo Yacht Club’s burgee and logo.

Further information abou the Imperial Gozo Yacht Club can be obtained at www.IGYC.info.