Crotone

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 20:05, 6 August 2011

Crotone, Italy

(Click links for more information)
	39°04.62′N, 17°08.18′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Crotone harbour
Click for larger view

The harbour of Crotone lies on the Ionian coast of Italy, around 15 miles N of Capo Rizzuto at the extreme western corner of the Golfo di Taranto. One of the oldest Greek colonies on the peninsula, Crotone was the leading settlement in what was later known as Magna Graecia. The city was renowned for producing successful athletes at the ancient Olympic games and for its famous physicians. In 530 BC Pythagoras founded his school of natural philosophy here. Later, during the Roman period, the city threw in its lot with the Carthaginian leader Hannibal during the Second Punic War, as a result of which it was severely punished on being recaptured in 205 BC. Crotone subsequently became part of the Byzantine empire until its capture by the Normans in the 11th century. For the next seven centuries, Crotone’s fate followed that of the Kingdom of Naples, including a period of Spanish occupation during the 16 century (from which its powerful castle dates), until the foundation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. A period of economic decline in the 1980s was only arrested with the growth of tourism in the last decade. The harbour of Crotone consists of a Porto Nuovo, a northern basin comprising the commercial port, and the Porto Vecchio, the southern basin, which has been developed for tourism. The harbour is a convenient launch pad for a passage across the Golfo di Taranto to Santa Maria de Leuca or even a long passage across to Corfu and the Greek mainland.

Charts

• British Admiralty 187
• Italian charts 919, 25, 146

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

During the summer the prevailing winds in the Ionian are light to moderate SW or SE seabreezes. In spring and autumn northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the lee of high mountain ranges. Winds in summer are generally light from the Straits of Messina until reaching the Golfo di Squillace between Rocella Ionica and Le Castella. With anything W in the wind, it tends to funnel down here over the mountains of southern Calabria, bringing strong gusts and raising an uncomfortable sea. The conditions to avoid, however, when cruising this part of the Ionian coast are strong southerlies. The harbours here are few and far between and none of them are really safe to enter in such conditions. Further east in the Gulf of Taranto local seabreezes predominate during the summer, although a light to moderate northerly is not uncommon.

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 are broadcast from stations at Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).

Approach and Navigation

There are no hazards in the approach to Crotone, other than numerous offshore gas rigs. The 16 century castle above the town is conspicuous from some distance off. Closer in, the long breakwater of the Porto Nuovo and the shorter one of the Porto Vecchio to the S join where a series of large oil tanks are visible on the shore. A yacht (unless it is a very large one) should normally proceed to the Porto Vecchio, which is entered from SSW around the curved breakwater. Only yachts with a maximum draught of up to 2.5 metres are allowed to enter. The commercial harbour to the N should only be used with permission from the port authorities (usually in very strong southerly winds, when the Porto Vecchio becomes extremely uncomfortable). Depths in the entrance to Porto Vecchio are 4.0 - 4.5 metres and in the harbour 3.5 - 5.5 metres.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Yachts are normally berthed on the mole to starboard on entering the harbour, beyond the fuel quay. The small basin at the SW corner of the harbour is reserved for members of the Italian Lega Navale. In total, the harbour has 600 berths, of which 20 are reserved for yachts in transit. The transit berths on the mole all have laid moorings and are managed by the Yacht Club Kroton. Maximum length 25 metres. Water points on the quay but no other facilities. For reservations, contact Yachting Kroton Club by telephone: +39 096 2061544 or Email.

Berths of the Yachting Kroton Club
Click for larger view

Location of the Yachting Kroton Club berths
Click for larger view

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Yachting Kroton Club
• Autonautica Tricoli

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

Hard standing. Slipway. Mobile crane (75 T). Fixed crane (12 T). Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood and fiberglass hull repairs. Sail repairs. Divers. Internet point.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the pier to W of harbour (0800 - 2000). Water points on the quays. No electricity.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The 16th century castle, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, is a powerful statement of Spanish imperial power. It now contains a museum. Several stretches of the 16th century walls and remains of defensive towers can still be seen. The town’s cathedral, originally 9th - 11th century, contains a 12th century font and a miraculous icon of the Black Madonna.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Good provisions in the village.

Eateries

• Numerous restaurants in the town.
• Café Rosa is very good (especially the home-made desserts)

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Rental outlets in the town

Garbage Disposal

• Bins on the quay.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• Railway station with trains to most destinations.
• Local and international flights from Crotone airport.
• E90 road connects to Taranto and Reggio di Calabria

Routes/Passages To/From Crotone

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.

[1] It's a website created in order to promote awareness of the Crotone area, as well as to promote the city as a port of call for cruise tourism.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

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

• May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 15:39, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• The Gulf of Taranto has amazing marine life. We encountered five pods of dolphins, two turtles and two pilot whales on our way across from Crotone to Santa Maria de Leuca--Athene of Lymington 15:39, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

Template:Guide1