Savona

From CruisersWiki

Savona, Italy

Savona is a major seaport and commercial centre on the coast of Liguria in Italy, some 23 miles WSW of Genoa. The city was a free municipality until being over-run by the Genoese in 1528 and much of the city’s mediaeval heritage still survives, in spite of heavy damage from bombing during World War II. Formerly an important centre for ironworks and shipbuilding, today Savona is Italy’s fifth largest port and handles a significant portion of Italy’s exports to markets such as the UK and USA. There are yacht berths in the outer harbour for members of the Italian Lega Navale, which may be used with permission if bertholders are away, but most yachts pass through to the Darsena Vecchia (Old Basin), where there are around 300 pontoon berths with laid moorings for yachts up to 16 metres. It is normally very busy in here, especially during holiday periods.

Charts

British Admiralty

1998 - Nice to Livorno, including Gulf of Genoa.

Italian

909

2

Weather

The prevailing winds along the western part of the Ligurian coast during the summer are a SW or SE seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Along the eastern part of the coast, the winds tend to come more from W or NW and are again usually little more than moderate. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and are typically caused by depressions further west in the Golfe du Lion which bring strong N winds as they move further E. In winter, the tramontana, a strong N wind off the Alps, is more frequent, although the libecchio is a strong SW wind that can affect the whole of the Ligurian coast and blow for several days, causing heavy seas.

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

Passages

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

None.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

The city is conspicuous from some distance off, the cranes and gantries of the harbour being identifiable from 2-3 miles off. Approach to the harbour is best made from SE, especially in strong S winds, as there is an unpleasant back swell off the breakwater in these conditions. The yacht berths are in the inner part of the harbour, leaving the large silos to port. The berths of the Italian Lega Navale are on the Molo Miramare to starboard 600 metres from the harbour entrance; for the Darsena Vecchia, continue for a further 600 metres. The Darsena Vecchia is entered via a lifting pedestrian footbridge to port at the top end of the harbour.

Berthing

Molo Miramare

The surroundings here are industrial and subject to wash from passing vessels. The berths here are reserved for members of the Italian Lega Navale. However, spaces may be available here on occasion (it helps if you are a member of the Lega Navale). Approach and enquire if you see a vacant berth. Yachts berth on pontoons with laid moorings. Shelter is good but there is continual wash from passing vessels. Depths from 5.0 - 6.0 metres. Water and electricity on the quays.

Darsena Vecchia

Contact Assonautica on VHF channel 09 or telephone +39 019 821451 on entry to the harbour. The bridge to the basin opens on request every half hour from 0800 to 2100. The basin has 300 berths on three pontoons and the surrounding quays for yachts up to 16 metres. Laid moorings at all berths. Depths in the basin range from 1.0 to 8.0 metres. Shelter is excellent. Water and electricity on the quays.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Anchorages

It is forbidden to anchor off in the vicinity of the harbour.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Details.

Repairs/Yards

Small hard standing at the yacht club (Lega Navale). Travel lift (200 T). Mobile crane (6 T). Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Sail repairs. Wood, fiberglass and steel repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station at SW corner of Darsena Vecchia (0800 - 1200 and 1400 - 1700). Water and electricity on the quays.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The mediaeval center of Savona is well worth exploring. The 16h century cathedral has some beautiful carved wooden choir stalls. Next door is the 15th century Capella Sistina, an ornate Rococo creation with a notable painted ceiling. The vast castle of Fortezza del Priamar, built in 1528 after the town was overrun by the Genoese, contains several museums inside its walls.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Excellent provisions shops in the town SW of the Darsena Vecchia.

Eateries

Numerous bars and restaurants in the town.

Internet/WiF

No.

Laundry

????

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at Darsena Vecchia and Molo Miramare.

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

• Savona 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 Savona and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 14:06, 24 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