Marina di Carrara

From CruisersWiki

The commercial harbour of Marina di Carrara lies some five miles SE of the Gulf of La Spezia and two miles east of the shallow entrance of the Bocca di Magra (Magra River). As its name implies, the harbour was built and is used for the shipment of the highly prized Carrara marble quarried in the hinterland. Generations of masons and sculptors have used Carrara marble since Roman times (the Pantheon and Trajan’s Column in Rome are made of it). Michelangelo’s world-renowned sculpture of David was also crafted from Carrara marble. At the northern end of the harbour is a small 190-berth marina run by the Club Nautico di Carrara which receives yachts in transit.

Charts

British Admiralty

1998 - Nice to Livorno

Italian

909

115

3

Weather

The prevailing winds along the Tuscan coast are from NW or W and are mostly moderate, rarely rising above force 5. Close inshore, a yacht will often encounter SE or even S winds, especially around the offshore islands, or long periods of calm. A depression passing to the N along the line of the Alps will sometimes cause a libeccio, a strong SW wind that occasionally reaches gale force and causes a heavy swell. In winter, the tramontana is a very strong N or NE wind that blows down off the Alps and can affect most of the NW coast of Italy.

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 La Garde (Toulon), Roma and Cagliari (Sardinia)

Passages

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

• Isola Palmaria
• Isola del Tino

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

The cranes of the harbour are conspicuous on the approach, as are the breakwaters of the commercial quays, where there are usually ships loading. The harbour is entered from SE between the breakwaters, when the pontoons of the Club Nautico will be visible to starboard. Depths at the pontoons range from 3.5 metres at the root to 5.5 metres at the southern end.

Berthing

Try calling Club Nautico di Carrara on VHF channel 74 or telephone: +39 331 4600630. Alternatively, approach the pontoons and await instructions. Some water and electrical points on the pontoons. Toilets and showers at the Club Nautico. The club has a total of 190 berths for yachts up to a maximum of 30 meters.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Club Nautico di Carrara

Anchorages

• Isola Palmaria (in winds from NW round to SW).

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

Boatyard. Mobile crane (150 T). Hard standing. Some engine and electrical repairs. Sail repairs.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station at the Club Nautico (0830 - 1930). Some water and electrical points on the pontoons, (but not at all berths).

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Bar and restaurant at the Club Nautico
• Several trattorias near the harbour

Internet/WiFi

No.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the Club Nautico.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Friends

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

Forums

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

Links

• Marina di Carrara at the Wikipedia

References & Publications

See Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Marina di Carrara and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 18:00, 2 December 2010 (UTC)

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington