Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1226904
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 MARCH 2020 6 CULTURE FOOD Birds that spent their winter in Africa or around the mild Mediterranean shores are now beginning to fly back north to nest somewhere in mainland Europe. Rain and strong winds are a menace to the millions trying to cross the sea, especially those that can't swim. These include warblers, small land-lov- ing birds that must make the crossing from North Africa to Europe in one non-stop dash, or perish. One of these is the sub- alpine warbler (M. bufula passajra), which is already turning up in groves and gardens. They are shy, active woodland birds, and the males have this lovely brick-red breast with a killer white 'moustache' cutting across their face. Like most other migra- tory birds visiting our shores, subalpines will be stopping for a brief but vital 'motel' rest and feed, before resuming their per- ilous trek north. Text Victor Falzon Photo Nicholas Galea 705. SUBALPINE WARBLER Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 601 Find out more and act now: www.foemalta.org/beesaver GRANDI Navi Veloci (GNV), part of MSC Group, has converted the ferry ship Splendid into a float- ing hospital equipped for the assistance of patients with COVID- 19 and those convalescing. GNV started working on the project together with classification society RINA in early March, in close coordination with Italy's Liguria Health System and Civil Protection. Together they de- fined a suitable solution that could be implement- ed in a very short period to increase Liguria's hos- pital capacity and, where necessary, to serve other areas of the country. The project has a high level of flexibility and scalability and can be quickly adapted to meet fu- ture needs of the Liguria Region as the COVID-19 emergency evolves. Stationed at Ponte Colombo in Genoa's Ferry Terminal, the current solution offers 25 beds in single cabins, although it is pos- sible to equip additional cabins up to a total of 400 beds. The floating hospital also features a heliport and dedicated areas to healthcare personnel and crew, organised to guarantee suitable standards, com- fort and flexibility. RINA's contribution has been at core to the pro- ject, thanks to its knowhow in the field of certi- fications and inspections in the maritime sector, which the company has provided free of charge. RINA verified that the new floating hospital com- plied with current regulations, identifying the correct balance between safety protection, naval regulations, the medical needs of a hospital indi- cated by ASL, the regional health care authority, and the urgent need to find a means of helping authorities and the National Health Service to ad- dress the fight against COVID-19. This initiative has seen the immediate action of numerous partners, who made available products and services free of charge to equip the ship with all the necessary supplies, including HP-Aru- ba, Alpha Trading, Artigo Rubber Flooring, San Giorgio del Porto, Auscomar, ItalBrokers, Le Na- vi Maritime Agency, Burger King, Covim, Emis, Giunti Editore, IdealService, Infomaster, Mante- ro Sistemi, Provveditoria Marittima Ligure Ange- lo Novelli and Ansaldo Naval Technical Studio. MSC Group's Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) converts ferry into floating hospital for coronavirus relief in Genoa