From Scarlino to Trapani, a story of “splendid and normal” sailing

How many times have we said, “I’m just going to drop everything and leave?” A not uncommon expression that acquires its originality if we put ourselves in the shoes of Riccardo Casella, skipper and currently also owner of the Bavaria 50 Cruiser Giorgia who, after years of working in the company left everything to invent a new business, on his own, with his own maybe sailing!

IN SEARCH OF EXCITEMENT, I GIVE UP EVERYTHING!
Riccardo Casella, originally from Mantua, worked for years in his father’s workshop, then in corporate environments always dealing with sales and the end customer. After whole years of running and unstoppable pace…one fine day he decided to change his life and stop running for something that did not give him excitement and that feeling of freedom that only the sea can give you. After much sailing experience, Mar A Vela, the company that manages Giorgia, was born. Charters on Giorgia began 6 years ago with trips to Croatia, Canary Islands, Tuscan Archipelago, Malta and this summer…Egadi Islands with departures from Trapani.

RICCARDO THE HANDYMAN
Simplicity, positivity, helpfulness, professionalism, and that healthy fighting energy are the winning ingredients of Riccardo, who is willing to make the customer happy but stubborn and meticulous about making sure his boat is always perfect and cared for. There is no weather to hold him back if there is work to be done, no excuse to hold him back if there are boardings to be arranged, every commitment is always dealt with in the best possible way, because as he says “Work is work”!

SCARLINO TO TRAPANI – LOGBOOK
Last July 12 the boat from Marina di Scarlino with an offshore navigation went down to Trapani, we organized a wonderful week that thanks to the help of the crew and skipper Michele Fiaccadori, we want to tell you about through a logbook and photographs. It is great to experience the sea intensely and even more so to be able to share adventures as a group.

July 12
The crew arrives at Marina di Scarlino in the early afternoon ready to set sail. There are 7 of us. An eye on the weather suggests postponing the departure. We console ourselves with a generous barbecue in the evening. Back on board and good night.

July 13 – 45 NM
Wake up at 8 a.m. to sort out the final details about Giorgia, and by 10 a.m. the decision is made. Here we go! On leaving the harbor we are greeted by a nice, relaxed wind that allows us to test the sails right away; everything is in order. You glide at 7 knots toward Punta Ala, upon reaching it you pull over to the left. The bow is pointing toward Giglio. We reach Giglio Porto and at that moment the gaze cannot help but linger on the carcass of the Concordia. The thought is unanimous: stupidity and superficiality. We aim for Giannutri and then set course for Ponza. It is almost evening and the latest weather updates suggest I spend the night safely in Giannutri Bay. I don’t feel like forcing the crew into a West 7 night. It is morning and we leave around 11 o’clock. A cool grecale pushes us southward. We have about 20 hours of sailing ahead of us. The sky around us is obscured by massive cumulonimbus clouds. Above us, however, the sky is blue. We will carry it with us to the middle. Navigation proceeds smoothly with long wave at the little garden that pushes us well but has an undesirable effect on part of the crew: seasickness. It is evening and the time comes to talk about “shifts.” We split the night into 2-hour shifts in pairs. I instruct the crew and send them to rest. An almost full moon will accompany us throughout the night.

July 14 – 120 NM
Dawn comes and the first rays of sunlight illuminate the island of Palmarola. Ponza is on his left. We are here. The last few miles to the harbor hold a breathtaking spectacle in store for us. Palmarola to starboard lit by the sun and to the left a moonlight and the Punta della Guardia lighthouse still bathed in shadow. We doff our heads and are plunged into the enveloping light of the Mediterranean summer. Ponza’s harbor is small, and we fortunately find room right away. Time to rest. In the afternoon, some people will go for a swim and some will take a walk to enjoy the view from above. The evening slips limply between aperitivo, arancini and granitas. By 11 p.m. we are all in bed.

July 15 – 133 NM
At 10 o’clock we cast off our moorings. The next destination is Ustica. The compass shows course 180. It’s strange how electrifying it is to head south…at least in the Northern Hemisphere…. The day is magnificent and after a few hours what surrounds us is only sea. We spot dozens of turtles gently being rocked by the waves and carried along by the currents. Occasionally we are visited by dolphins. We are ahead of schedule and by 5 p.m. the decision is made. The sails are lowered and the bath is served. Below us 3000 meters of water. The blue that surrounds us cannot be described. We set off again and in no time it was evening. The sunset is one to take your breath away…. It is dark and the shifts begin again. Usual instructions and we continue into a slightly darker night….

July 16
The night passes without major jolts. We spot fishing boats here and there…nothing more. At dawn here is Ustica. The island’s history is not among the most joyous, but the sight of its dark, rugged coastline is thrilling. We pass the small harbor. Full. A little further on there should be buoys–there they are. One can rest. Upon awakening, bathing is a must. It is like being in an aquarium, such is the clarity of the water and the amount of fish we spot. Before evening we look for a ride to the port. Picking us up is Felice, a local fisherman. What strikes me, in addition to his kindness and helpfulness, is the pride and pride that can be read in his gaze. Pride and pride in being part of the island, which is as beautiful as it is rugged and difficult. Thank you, Happy… In the village we dine on arancini, cannoli and granita–they are already becoming a drug. Back on board and before long we are all welcomed into the arms of Morpheus.

July 17 – 62 NM
At 9 o’clock we say goodbye to Ustica. The bow is now on San Vito lo Capo. Sicily. Morale is always high and after a few hours here is Giorgia admiring the rock ridge overlooking the village. We stop for a half hour for a quick swim and a frugal meal in Impiso Bay…gorgeous! Now we have the last few miles to go before Trapani. These hours pass quickly between laughter and memories of what we have experienced together in the recent past. It is 6 p.m. and we receive permission to enter the port of Trapani. Riccardo is at the dock waiting for us. A smile. We are here. Unfortunately, for organizational reasons, Riccardo had to follow the sailing ashore, but finished the outstanding work with a drive of only 1250 km in one night and went down to continue following Giorgia’s outings in the company of new crews. When work becomes a passion there is no thing that can keep you too far away from what you enjoy, and makes you happy! After October Giorgia will leave Trapani for Malta…and will stay there for the winter season as a ” Boat & Breakfast.”

Shakti D’Intinosante

Want to learn more about Mar a Vela’s activities? Email maravela2010@libero.it