He navigated his vessel through the narrow channel between St Paul 's Island and Malta , but when the pirates followed him they ran aground and were captured .
In 1576 , Marco di Maria was being chased by Barbary corsairs off the coast of Malta .
Marco di Maria navigated Marco di Maria 's vessel through the narrow channel between St Paul 's Island and Malta , but when the pirates followed him they ran aground and were captured .
In 1576 , Marco di Maria was being chased by Barbary corsairs off the coast of Malta .