Cattolica

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Cattolica/wiki/Cattolica

Cattolica 43°58.18′N, 12°45.04′E43.969666666667;12.750666666667 destination

Harbour of Cattolica from WNW - Click for larger view

The port of Cattolica is situated on the Adriatic coast of Italy, around nine miles NW of the port of Pesaro and 12 miles SE of the harbour of Rimini. The port, like many along this coast, consists of a canalized river basin, the Tavollo river, with two additional basins, one of which contains a new, small marina, the Marina di Cattolica, at its mouth. Extensive shallows along the coast and limited depths in the entrance mean that the harbour is only suitable for shoal draft yachts and entry should only be attempted in settled weather. Depths in the entrance are 2.7 - 3.0 metres and in the marina basin around 4.0 metres. The entrance is impassable in strong onshore winds.

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)

Charts

British Admiralty

220

Italian

923

36

37

215

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

The entrance to Cattolica consists of a narrow channel between a long training wall extending N from the eastern bank of the canal and a breakwater oriented E/W which encloses the marina basin. Entry is from NNW, ensuring that you do not steer on a course above 170, to avoid a dangerous unmarked rocky patch about 500 metres off the entrance. Like several harbours along this coast, entry is difficult and potentially dangerous with strong onshore winds. The entrance also tends to silt in winter storms, so it is wise to check the current depths before attempting to enter, especially in early season.

Note: along this stretch of the Adriatic coast tidal ranges can exceed 1.0 metre at springs, so judging the tides right can make a significant difference to safe access in most of the shallower harbours.

Berthing Options

Cattolica showing inner and outer basins of the marina plus the commercial harbour - Click for larger view

Alongside berths in Cattolica canal - Click for larger view

There are two berthing possibilities for visiting yachts:

1. The Marina di Cattolica offers 140 berths in the first, outer basin to starboard (with depths of around 4.0 metres and suitable for larger yachts up to 35 metres) and a further 35 berths in a small inner basin to starboard above a swing bridge (which has shallower depths and is only suitable for yachts up to 12 metres). Note: the second basin to starboard is primarily for commercial vessels and the fishing fleet. Berths in the marina are on laid moorings on quays or pontoons with all usual facilities.
   06/2013: €60,- per night for 13 meters - negotiated €800.- for a month all included. --s/v Seatern 06:29, 5 October 2013 (BST)
2. Alternatively, there is the canal itself, where there are reportedly 15 spaces allocated to yachts in transit. Berths in the canal are alongside with no facilities.
   06 2013: The berths allocated to transit alongside the canal are now all rented year around and all occupied by local mostly sailboats.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina di Cattolica - S.r.l. - Via Darsena Marinai D'Italia sn - 47841 Cattolica (RN)

Anchorages

No anchoring is permitted in the harbour.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

• BERNABE - Fornitore Industriali e Nautiche (Hardware & Marine Hardware) and MAGELLANO (Chandelry)
  

  Via Del Porto, 23/D - 47841 Cattolica (RN) - Tel +39 0541 962915 - Email - Website

  Note: Massimo speaks some English and will order what is needed.

• Idrotecnica Tavallo (Plumbing) - via Risorgimento, 2 - Gabicce Mare
• Elios Sub di Piccari Lidia & C. sas - Dive shop & tailored wetsuits manufacturing

  Via Cattaneo, 5 - 47841 Cattolica (RN) - Tel. +39 0541.963831 Fax. +30 0541.954790 - Email - Website

Repairs/Yards

See Marina di Cattolica for details.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the quay. Water and electricity on the marina quays and pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Grocery & Supply Stores

Numerous provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

Bars and restaurants along the canal and in the town.

Internet/WiFi

In the Marina di Cattolica.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Rental outlets in the town
• Garage Tomasetti s.n.c. di Tomasetti Gino & C. - Daniele - Via E. Romagna, 192 - 47841 Cattolica (RN) - Tel. +39 0541.962519 - Fax +39 0541.835396 - Email -- s/v Seatern 06:08, 5 October 2013 (BST)
• Automax srl - Via E. Romagna,184 - 47841 Cattolica (RN) - Tel. +39 0541.833769 & +39 800.646400 - Fax +39 0541.835571 - [[email protected] Email] - Website -- s/v Seatern 06:08, 5 October 2013 (BST)
• Italia Servizi - Massimo - Via del Porto, 2/4 - 47841 Cattolica (RN) - Tel./Fax +39 0541.411533 - Cell +39 331.7812018 - Email -- s/v Seatern 17:08, 11 September 2013 (BST))

Garbage Disposal

Some bins around the harbour.

Transportation

• Buses to most local destinations from the town
• Railway station with connections to most destinations
• Airports at Ancona (80 kms) and Rimini (20 km).

Routes/Passages To/From

See Adriatic.

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

• Cattolica at the Wikipedia

References & Publications

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• June 2013: Cattolica (north/west side of the canal) & Gabbicce Mare (south/east side of the canal) are typical beach towns with thousands of umbrellas on the beach.
  We safely moored for a month at the marina and did a couple weeks road trip. The marina people were friendly and helpful. --s/v Seatern 06:39, 5 October 2013 (BST)

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 17:50, 14 January 2011 (UTC)
• June 2013 --s/v Seatern 06:09, 5 October 2013 (BST)

Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington, s/v Seatern