Ognina (Porto Ulisse)

From CruisersWiki

Ognina is a natural inlet three miles north of Catania and 10 miles south of Stazzo in Sicily. A breakwater has been built out from the southern shore creating a small harbour that is usually full to bursting at most times of year. A series of pontoons provides berths for up to 500 vessels. In practice, however, virtually all of these are taken by small power boats and the quay inside the breakwater is similarly occupied by fishing boats.

Charts

Admiralty

1941 - Capo Passero to Capo Colonne

1018 - Approach to Stretto Messina

Italian

918

Weather

Prevailing winds in the Straits during the summer are from N or NW. Southerly winds are more common in the spring and winter. In unsettled weather, the Straits can be subject to very strong gusts off the land which, combined with the strong currents, can make passage dangerous for smaller yachts. Currents at Riposto are weaker than in the Straits, although gusts will still be experienced off the high land in NW winds.

Sources for weather forecasts:

• There is a continuous (computerized 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

See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.

Islands

None.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

The harbour is difficult to spot even in clear conditions. A red navigation beacon on the end of the breakwater and the apartment blocks around the harbour are conspicuous once close in.

Berthing

Although there are technically 500 berths in the harbour, usually the only place it is possible for a yacht to moor is on the inside of the breakwater. Often this space is fully occupied with fishing boats. Porto Ulisse is a harbour where you either squeeze in wherever you can or move on.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

None.

Amenities

Facilities
Water	Water on the pontoons (but probably inaccessible to a yacht) Some water points on the quay
Electricity	Electricity on the pontoons (but probably inaccessible to a yacht)
Toilets	?
Showers	?
Laundry	None
Garbage	Bins around the harbour
Supplies
Fuel	Fuel station in the harbour
Bottled gas	?
Chandlers	?
Services
Repairs	Mobile crane (30T). Fixed crane (5T). Limited engine and hull repairs
Internet	N/A (Not Available).
Mobile connectivity	?
Vehicle rentals	?

Provisioning

Limited provisions.

Eating out

Restaurants around the harbour.

Transportation

List transportation (local and/or international.)

Tourism

Ognina is a suburb of Catania and a busy residential area, but not really a tourist destination in its own right.

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

List links external to the wiki such as in Wikepedia.

References

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 Ognina (Porto Ulisse) and this page's details validated:

• Information based on internet research (please update if you visit) --Athene of Lymington 13:44, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

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Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington