Bari

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Revision as of 21:21, 24 January 2013

Bari, Italy

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	41°08.7′N, 16°50.8′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Bari Porto Vecchio from S with Porto Nuovo Click for larger view

The port of Bari lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy roughly halfway between the extreme ‘heel’ of the peninsula at Santa Maria de Leuca and the ‘spur’ of the peninsula at Vieste on the Gargano promontory. The capital of the Apulia region, Bari is southern Italy’s most important city after Naples. During the Roman period, Bari rivalled Brindisi as one of the most important outlets for trade with the eastern empire. Later, under Byzantine rule, Bari was one of the major slave trading outlets in the Western Mediterranean, shipping hundreds of thousands of captives to markets among the Muslim states of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Normans under Robert Guiscard subsequently captured the port in 1071 and soon after began the construction of the magnificent Basilica of St Nicholas to receive the remains of the eponymous saint. The relics had been ‘rescued’ from the city of Myra in what is now modern Turkey by local merchants to ‘save’ them from the clutches of the Selcuk Turkish forces then threatening the eastern borders of the Byzantine empire. It was also under Norman rule that work began on the city’s so-called Castello Svevo, subsequently enlarged in the 16th century to its present impressive size. Today Bari is an important shipping and passenger port, with regular ferries to Dubrovnik in Croatia and several Greek ports. Its Porto Vecchio (smaller vessels up to 12 metres) and Porto Nuovo (vessels up to 100 metres) both offer berthing opportunities to yachts in transit along the Adriatic coast or arriving from/departing to Croatia.

Charts

British Admiralty

186

Italian

921

30

31

193

195

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Local Weather

During the summer months the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal seabreezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared “bora” is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest “bora” is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the “scirocco”, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the “bora”, which can arrive without warning, a “scirocco” tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).

Sources for weather information:

• There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
• The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
• Navtex weather forecasts covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)

Approach and Navigation

Porto Nuovo is the northernmost of the two harbours of Bari. The harbour lies behind a long breakwater extending N then W from the shore. Behind the breakwater a white octagonal lighthouse is conspicuous on the shore. The harbour is entered from NW, being careful to avoid commercial shipping entering or leaving the harbour. Note: in the approach from S, beware of the dangerous shoal of Secca del Monte which lies around 500 metres offshore in the bight between the breakwaters of the old and new harbours.

Porto Vecchio Is situated one mile SE of Porto Nuovo. The harbour is protected by a long breakwater oriented NW/SE with a conspicuous white light tower on the end. Note: in the approach from N, beware of the dangerous shoal of Secca del Monte which lies around 500 metres offshore in the bight between the breakwaters of the old and new harbours. A series of detached breakwaters lies parallel to the shore for a mile in the approach from S. The harbour is entered from ESE between a final detached breakwater extending NNW perpendicular to the others and the end of the long breakwater. Depths in the entrance are 3.0 - 4.0 metres.

Berthing Options

Porto Nuovo

Entrance to Bari Porto Nuovo from NW
Click for larger view

41°08.7′N, 16°50.8′E
There are several berthing options in the Porto Nuovo: immediately to starboard on entering the harbour, 500 metres from the entrance, is a series of pontoons managed by the Centro Universitario Sportivo (telephone: +39 080 5341660), with 250 berths for vessels up to 23 metres. Depths are 2.5 - 3.0 metres. Water and electricity at all berths. Berthing here is restricted to members only, although it may be possible for a visiting yacht to find space here outside busy periods. At the northern end of the Centro Universitario Sportivo moorings is the yard of Cantiere Navale Ranieri (telephone: +39 080 5344888), which has moorings for vessels of up to 5.0 metres draft. The most likely option, however, is on the long pontoon operated by the Italian Lega Navale in the Darsena Vecchia (Old Basin) at the SE end of the harbour. Here there are 70 berths for yachts up to 16 metres. Depths at the pontoon are 2.5 - 3.5 metres. Water and electricity on the pontoon. It is quite a long walk from here to get out of the port. Finally, larger yachts are permitted to berth alongside the Banchina Dogana (Customs Quay) and Banchina Capitaneria (Harbourmaster’s Quay) NE of the Lega Navale berths with the permission of the harbour authorities. Depths on the quays are 5.0 - 11.0 metres.

Porto Vecchio

Entrance to Bari Porto Vecchio from SE
Click for larger view

41°07.54′N, 16°52.8′E
The Porto Vecchio has berthing spaces for up to 230 smaller yachts (maximum size 12 metres). Berths are on pontoons operated by the Circulo Barion (130 places) on the Mola Nicola, the mole extending into the middle of the harbour, and the Circulo della Vela (100 places) on the smaller mole in the SW corner. The harbour is subject to silting and depths at the pontoons range from 1.5 - 3.0 metres. All berths here are private and may only be used with permission from the respective clubs.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Circolo Nautico Daphne
• Lega Navale
• Circulo Barion
• Circulo della Vela

Anchorages

Anchoring is forbidden in both the Porto Nuovo and Porto Vecchio.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

In Porto Nuovo: Slipway. Travel lift (100 T). Fixed crane (50 T). Mobile crane (16 T). Some hard standing. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood, fiberglass and steel hull repairs. Sail repairs. Divers.

In Porto Vecchio: Slipway. Fixed crane (40 T). Mobile crane (16 - 100 T). Limited wood and fiberglass repairs.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel stations in both the Porto Nuovo and Porto Vecchio. Water and electricity on the club pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The Basilica of St Nicholas, founded in 1087 to receive the relics of the saint, is a must-see. The remains of St Nicholas (he of Father Christmas fame) lie in a wonderfully atmospheric crypt under the nave. The beautifully restored Romanesque cathedral is also well worth a visit. The massively impressive Castello Svevo (Swabian castle), rebuilt in the 13th century by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, dominates the peninsula between the two harbours. Finally, with transport it is possible within a day to visit the impressive cave system of Grotte di Castellana and the World Heritage site of Alberobello with its unique trulli houses.

Basilica of St Nicholas
Click for larger view

The 13th century Castello Svevo
Click for larger view

The cave system of Grotte di Castellana
Click for larger view

Trulli houses in Alberobello
Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Numerous provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Numerous restaurants and pizzerias inland from the harbours.

Internet/WiFi

Intenret cafes in the town.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Several rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins near all pontoons.

Transportation

• Buses to Grotte di Castellana and other local destinations.
• Local and international flights from Bari airport (11 kms).
• Train connections to most major cities.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• May 2005 --Athene of Lymington 16:17, 28 December 2010 (UTC)

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