Molfetta

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 21:48, 24 January 2013

Molfetta, Italy

Click links for more information
	41°12.76′N, 16°35.46′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Molfetta harbour - Click for larger view

The fishing harbour of Molfetta lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy 15 miles NW of the port of Bari and 10 miles SE of Trani. Like its near neighbour to the SE, Santo Spirito, the harbour is small and relatively shallow, with depths inside from 2.0 - 7.0 metres, but is suitable in settled conditions for smaller, shallow draft yachts of up to 12.0 metres. Molfetta has an attractive old quarter and numerous Romanesque and Renaissance churches.

Charts

British Admiralty

186

Italian

921

31

195

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Local Weather

During the summer months the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal seabreezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared “bora” is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest “bora” is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the “scirocco”, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the “bora”, which can arrive without warning, a “scirocco” tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).

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 covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)

Approach and Navigation

The twin towers of the cathedral are prominent at the root of the eastern breakwater. The harbour is entered from ENE between the two harbour breakwaters. Depths in the entrance are 6.0 - 9.0 metres. Entrance can be difficult or even dangerous in strong NE winds, when a heavy swell affects the harbour. Once inside the harbour, there is a shoal area, the Secca San Domenico, 200 metres SE of the end of the short inner mole where the yachts are berthed. The area is usually marked by a green buoy.

Berthing Options

On the SE side of the short inner mole, the Molo Penello, are three pontoons operated by the Italian Lega Navale, the Circolo Nautico Ippocampo and the Nautilus sports club. The pontoons provide a total of 200 berths for small yachts up to 12.0 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 - 3.5 metres. No facilities on the pontoons. The remainder of the mole is reserved for fishing vessels.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Italian Lega Navale
• Circolo Nautico Ippocampo

Anchorages

Anchoring is forbidden in the harbour.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

Slipway. Travel lift (180 T). Mobile crane (15 T). Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood, fiberglass and steel hull repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel can be delivered by truck. Some water points on the mole. No electricity on the club pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The prominent cathedral of Molfetta
Click for larger view

The unusual site of Il Pulo
Click for larger view

The mediaeval old town of Molfetta is attractive and has been much restored in recent years. The 13th century cathedral, whose twin towers are so conspicuous from offshore, is an excellent example of the Apulian-Romanesque style. The old town has a number of other interesting churches from 12th to 17th centuries. Around 1.5 kilometres outside the town is the unusual site of Il Pulo, a huge collapsed cavity that formerly housed Neolithic cave-dwellers and was later mined for nitrates used in gunpowder manufacture.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Restaurants and pizzerias in the town.

Internet/WiFi

Internet cafes in the town.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Rental outlet in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins on the mole.

Transportation

• Buses to Trani, Bari and other local destinations.
• Local and international flights from Bari airport (18 kms).
• Train connections to most major cities.

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

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 19:01, 28 December 2010 (UTC)

Template:Guide1