A deep blue sea with an azure sky flecked by white clouds provides the ideal backdrop for a day out at sea on a classic yacht, making the most of ideal sailing conditions.

Five years’ worth of work and assignments by world-renowned photographer of the sea Kurt Arrigo have been brought together into a stunning book.

Maritime Malta is the second in a trilogy of books by Miranda Publishers to cover the sea and coastal areas of Malta and Gozo, which have always been viewed as places of intrigue, danger, threat and opportunity.

It follows on the heels of Grand Harbour Malta, published in 2011. The final book, Malta and the Sea, should hit the shelves in 2015.

Mr Arrigo said he collected the images over many years. “There is nothing doctored. Most of the photos are spontaneous, taken in various locations, waiting for the right light, good water visibility, capturing the different moods and moments.”

Describing it an “honour” to have his works published by Miranda, Mr Arrigo said that the book has images both above and below sea level.

Certain photos have been published in black and white to further accentuate and bring out the detail of the stonework along the coast.

Sea and coastal areas evoke sentiments that develop and change through time. Islanders have a special affinity to the sea. A myriad of traditions, stories and beliefs have evolved around the special relationship islanders have nurtured with the sea.

Over seven millennia of history, the Maltese islands and their people have been shaped by the sea and all it brings.

Maritime Malta has been divided into six thematic chapters, the text of which has been compiled by marine archaeologist Timmy Gambin, a senior lecturer at the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta.

The 224-page hardbound book, beautifully presented in a slip case, has been printed in Italy.

www.mirandabooks.com