A few days ago we had published the testimony of Angelo Careccia, owner of a Bavaria 42, who was “kicked off” the docks of the Marina di Nettuno, in Messina, once he specified that he had to stay only a few hours. A big fuss was immediately raised, on the web and its social networks, and in fact the Marina’s response, in the person of director Ivo Blandina, which we reproduce below, was not long in coming.
NEPTUNE MARINA’S RESPONSE
“Temporary parking at the Neptune Marina has always been free,” Blandina began. “We have allowed hundreds of boats to moor for free for daytime stops lasting less than 12 (twelve!!!) hours and including mooring and unmooring services, even with the assistance of the service boat without ever asking anyone for a penny. Just as we have allowed many globetrotting boaters to stop for several days without paying in case of bad weather conditions. We have never charged those who sail for reasons other than boating, such as non-profit organizations working in social work or sports associations.
I ask Careggia to give specifics about the date and time of the marina entry and the communication made to the Harbor Master‘s Office. Instead, I would like to ask the Sailing Newspaper to confirm that no such reports have come to their editorial office since 1998 (in fact, we are not aware of any such reports, ed.). Respect for rules, a good level of service and hospitality have always guided our work.
Available to provide any further clarification and, most importantly, to intervene on the off-chance that any of our sailors (not “janitors”) had behaved in a manner inconsistent with strict company guidelines.”