Roccella Ionica

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Revision as of 13:02, 23 February 2011

Rocella Ionica, Italy

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	38°19.52′N, 16°25.84′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Marina of Rocella Ionica from NW
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The marina of Rocella Ionica is the first proper harbour encountered by a yacht transiting the Straits of Messina southwards and continuing along the Ionian coast, the southern side of the ‘toe’ of Italy (the marina of Saline Ioniche remains completely silted up and unusable). The marina lies some 60 sea miles NE of the sandy point of Punta Pellaro at the southern end of the Straits of Messina. The marina entrance silts continually and is constantly dredged to a depth of 5.0 metres. Even so, the channel is constantly shifting and entry in winds of above force 6/7 or swell of more than 1.0 metre is not recommended.

Charts

• British Admiralty 1941
• Italian charts 918, 919, 24

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.

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

The harbour of Rocella Ionica is difficult to identify until close in. The most prominent feature is a ruined castle on the ridge above the town. Once closer in, the breakwater of the harbour and the masts of moored yachts are clearly identifiable. Great care is needed in the approach as the marina entrance is subject to constant silting and the channel shifts with strong storms. In particular, the area around the southern arm of the breakwater (to the starboard side on entry) is silted to a depth of around a metre. Maximum depths in the entrance (December 2010) are reported as 5.0 metres, though around 3.5 metres is closer to the experience of most recent visiting yachts. The best approach is on a dog-leg about 200 metres off the end of the breakwater, only turning when the entrance is open due E. If in any doubt, call the marina office on channel 16 for advice. With strong southerlies, the wise course is to stand off altogether until conditions improve.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

The marina has space for over 400 yachts up to maximum length of 44 metres (although draft is really the limiting factor). A total of 39 berths are reserved for yachts in transit. Berths are on 12 pontoons with fingers and associated quays. Laid moorings at all berths. Depths at the pontoons are from 3.0 - 5.0 metres. Toilets and showers in the marina. Note: at time of writing (December 2010) berthing here is still reported to be free for up to five days, in view of the incomplete state of the marina facilities.

The one that never made it, Rocella Ionica
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Pontoons of Rocella Ionica Marina
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Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

Limited. Mobile crane on request (30 T). Some basic engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Hull repairs. Sail repair. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel can be delivered by tanker (0700 - 1900). Water on the pontoons (but electricity not connected).

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The town is pleasant but not very inspiring. The walk up to the ruined castle is the only obvious pastime (unless you are here in August during the annual jazz festival)

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Provisions in the town (3 kms W of the marina)

Eateries

• Good pizzeria in the marina. Other restaurants in the town (3 kms away).

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the harbour.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

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

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 17:35, 19 December 2010 (UTC)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• In July 2010 we entered and left on a transit that led directly though the middle of the outer and inner breakwaters and into the inner marina area. (Probably about 055M). Minimum depth on this approach was more than 4 metres and once inside depths varied 3.5 - 5.0 metres. --Wayward
• We encountered a thunderstorm with 35 knot gusts on arriving at Rocella Ionica. Wisely we waited for it to pass before entering, having observed the rusting wreck of a yacht closer into the beach which obviously hadn’t. --Athene of Lymington 17:35, 19 December 2010 (UTC)

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