Mazara del Vallo

From CruisersWiki

Mazara del Vallo is a commercial port situated at the mouth of the River Mazaro, around 16 miles SE of Marsala and 35 miles WNW of Sciacca in Sicily. One of the busiest fishing harbours in Italy, it is the nearest harbour to the coast of Tunisia 95 miles to the WSW. The city sprung to international fame in, when an ancient bronze statue called the Dancing Satyr, believed to have been created by the famous Greek sculptor Praxiteles, was dredged up from the seabed off the town by a local fishing boat. The statue is now the centerpiece of a dedicated museum in the city. The harbour is usually crammed full with fishing boats, but a yacht may find a berth on the pontoons operated by the Associazione Diportisti Nautici Mazarese and the Italian Lega Navale immediately to starboard once inside the harbour.

Charts

Admiralty

2122 - Bizerte to Capo San Marco

Italian

916

Weather

The prevailing wind on the south coast of Sicily during the summer is a SW seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Most of the harbours along the south coast are liable to swell in strong southerly winds which are, however, rare outside the winter months.

Sources for weather forecasts:

• 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)

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

None.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

In the approach from E, keep at least half a mile off Capo Granitola to avoid the shallows extending off the headland. The harbour is entered from SE along the line of the western breakwater. The area to the north of the shorter, eastern breakwater is shallow, as is the NE corner of the harbour where the river channel starts. Depths range from 6.0 - 7.0 metres in the outer harbour to 2.0 - 3.0 in the inner harbour.

Berthing

The Molo Buon Vento pontoon operated by the Associazione Diportisti Nautici Mazarese is immediately to starboard once inside the harbour and offers 110 berths for vessels up to a maximum of 20 metres. Laid moorings. Depths at the pontoon range from 2.0 - 3.5 metres. Water and electricity are available on the pontoon. Toilets and showers.

Three further pontoons laid on a N/S axis from the eastern breakwater and equipped with laid moorings are operated by the Italian Lega Navale. Space may be available here during less busy periods.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

In settled weather only or moderate winds from NW round to SW, it is possible to anchor to the E of the end of the eastern breakwater, clear of the fairway and in depths of 2.5 - 5.0 metres. The bottom is sand and mud and good holding. Be careful not to stray too far to the north as the bottom shallows quickly towards the shore.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

Slipway and mobile crane (60T). Travel lift (500T). Outdoor storage. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood, GRP and steel repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on jetty at western side of harbour. Water and electricity on the yacht pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The famous Dancing Satyr, believed to have been created by the famous Greek sculptor Praxiteles, is on permanent display in the Museo del Satiro in the church of Sant'Egidio.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Numerous provisions shops around the harbour and in the town.

Eateries

Restaurants and bars along the waterfront. More in the town.

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the harbour.

Transportation

List 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

• Mazara del Vallo 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 Mazara del Vallo and this page's details validated:

• Information based on web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 15:32, 8 November 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