“Only stay a few hours? Go away”: they kick him out of the marina and demand money

Do you remember the article we published a few months ago reporting threats to a shipowner who had moored at a public dock (at the direction of the Coast Guard) in the port of Cetraro, Calabria? They had “urged” him (on pain of having his moorings cut off) to move the boat to the paid docks. We report on another mishap that was brought to our attention by one of our readers, 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 was to stay only a few hours. Let’s hear his direct testimony:

“This summer I was transferring my boat from Argentario to Puglia and consequently passed through Messina. Arriving at the port of Messina, I asked the marina right at the entrance to the port about the possibility of stopping.

The attendants immediately willing to let us moor, in approaching the dock I specify that I would like to stop only for a few hours, time to refuel and reinforce the galley, suddenly there was no more room! We were “kicked out” of the dock, there was no more opportunity to moor. In an instant the situation had changed.

I enter the harbor to look for a berth and it was impossible as the port of Messina is not receptive to pleasure boats at all as it has very high piers with huge fenders for large ships. I decide to call the harbormaster’s office to ask for enlightenment on the case, and very quietly they reply to contact the aforementioned marina.

Moral, the marina for a few hours then demanded but did not get 100€ plus water and electricity and as a result we preferred to cross the channel and go to the port of Reggio where we were housed much more humanely.”

The phrase Vos et ipsam Civitatem benedicimus (“We bless you and your City”) is today written in large letters at the base of the Madonnina stele on the far arm of Messina harbor. A call to hospitality true those arriving in the port. So much for hospitality, one would say!

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This is yet another episode that is not good for Italy’s marina sector, which has already been severely challenged by the flight of boats abroad caused by the past Monti government’s capestro maneuvers. What do you think? Send us your testimonies if you have been “mistreated” during your cruises by sending an email to speciali@panamaeditore.it or by posting a message on our Facebook page!