The visit of the 17th century Spanish galleon replica, the Andalucia, to the Grand Harbour seems to have stirred significant and widespread interest among many Maltese in our island's maritime history and in the potential of the Grand Harbour to become a natural haven and a sought-after port of call for "old" and not so old tall sailing ships.

I am confident that few would disagree that our Grand Harbour, which is well "defended" by the marvellous fortifications built by the Knights of St John, offers excellent berthing facilities and an excellent historical and scenic backdrop for such sailing ships, which, in turn, enrich and make the Grand Harbour even more evocative to locals and tourists alike. Perhaps the Malta Maritime Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority may wish to coordinate their efforts to explore and organise "appropriate events" that would attract more "sailing ships" and visitors to our harbours and our islands.