Italian Navy ships in Grand Harbour

The Italian Navy's Chief Petty Officers' School of Taranto is in Malta on a training visit with the Corsaro II after a long navigation period around the Mediterranean.

The training vessel, which measures 22 metres with a beam of 4.9 metres, is commanded by Captain Francesco Carlo Rizzo di Grado e di Premuda.

The Corsaro II has a chequered service history which saw it cross oceans and represent the Italian Navy at many prestigious events.

At present there is another Italian Navy ship in harbour, the Orsa Maggiore, which is on a 76-day instruction programme for its nine-man crew.

The Orsa Maggiore has also made port calls to other major harbours around the Mediterranean coasts. Having started from Ancona, the school ship will be leaving Malta on August 16 to return to its home berth in Livorno.