Monfalcone

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Revision as of 21:48, 1 February 2011

Monfalcone, Italy

(Click links for more information)
	45°46.08′N, 13°34.02′E and 45°46.38′N, 13°35.58′E
	[ Photo gallery]
	[ Local chartlet]

River Timavo entrance to Monfalcone
Click for larger view

Monfalcone is primarily a commercial port, situated at the head of a small gulf 12 miles NE of Grado and 13 miles NW of the city of Trieste on the Adriatic coast of Italy. A major manufacturing centre, the city hosts companies manufacturing aeroplanes, textiles and chemicals as well as the firm of Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding concerns in southern Europe. For most of the city’s history, from the 15th to the end of the 18th century, Monfalcone was under Venetian control. Following a period of occupation by the French forces of Napoleon, from 1797 until 1815, Monfalcone became part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and was not returned into Italian hands until the end of World War I in 1918. Today there is little of tourist interest to attract the cruising yachtsman to Monfalcone, but there are three marinas, Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto and Darsena Nautec, as well as several boatyards which offer a secure location for cruisers to lay up for the winter or leave their vessels for a few weeks.

Charts

British Admiralty 204, 1471

Italian charts 924, 39, 236

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

Approach and Navigation

There are two entrances into Monfalcone, depending on your choice of berthing arrangements.

For access to Marina Hannibal, head for the following waypoint: 45°46.08′N, 13°34.02′E, where there is a fairway buoy just over a mile SSE of the main harbour entrance. Approach should not be made from any closer in in view of extensive shallows along the coast to the W of the entrance channel. From here, a course of 315 degrees between three pairs of port and starboard markers brings you into the main channel, which is dredged to 10.0 metres. The channel continues between two long training moles, leaving the low island of Panzano Bagni and the extensive shallows S of it to port. Once through the entrance, follow the channel round to W and SW into the Bacino di Panzano (Panzano Basin). The channel to Marina Hannibal at the SW corner of the basin is indicated by port and starboard markers.

For access to Marina Lepanto and Darsena Nautec, head for the following waypoint: 45°46.38′N, 13°35.58′E, which lies at the entrance to the River Timavo. Follow the marked channel into the river, leaving the fishing settlement of Villaggio del Pescatore San Marco to starboard. Continue upstream for a further mile, when the river curves round to the W. The marinas of Marina Lepanto and Darsena Nautec are straight ahead, half a mile and a mile further on respectively. Depths in the channel are around 3.0 metres, but can be less at the lowest tides.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

There are three principal berthing options in Monfalcone:

Marina Hannibal at {{Coord|45|47.04|N|13|32.25|E|}

Marina Hannibal, lies at the SW corner of the Bacino di Panzano (Panzano Basin), the principal basin immediately W from the main harbour entrance. It offers 328 berths for yachts up to 40 metres in depths of 4.0 - 10.0 metres. Click on the link for details.

Marina Lepanto at {{Coord|45|47.7|N|13|33.6|E|}

Marina Lepanto is situated along a mile-long canal adjoining the course of the River Timavo at the SE extremity of the town of Monfalcone. It offers 250 berths for yachts up to 23 metres in depths of 3.0 - 6.5 metres.

Darsena Nautec at {{Coord|45|47.73|N|13|33.48|E|}

Darsena Nautec lies at the W end of the canal adjoining the course of the River Timavo, beyond Marina Lepanto. It offers 200 berths for yachts up to 20 metres in depths of 3.0 - 8.5 metres.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

See above.

Anchorages

Anchoring is possible in the Bacino di Panzano (Panzano Basin), anywhere the depths are suitable and you are not obstructing the channels. Shelter is good from most directions, although an unpleasant chop develops in strong northerlies.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

See marina entries for details

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

See marina entries for details

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

There is little of tourism interest in Monfalcone, other than the Rocca, a circular castle with mediaeval origins. With transport, the karst landscape inland from the town is worth exploring for its caves and underground streams.

The Rocca, Monfalcone’s unusual mediaeval castle
Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

All the marinas in Monfalcone are remote from provisions and other shops. Folding bicycles are a necessary asset here.

Eateries

The marinas in Monfalcone are all remote from the bars and restaurants of the town centre, although most have eateries onsite. Some form of transport is otherwise essential.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in Monfalcone centre.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the marinas.

Transportation

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:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 18:12, 1 February 2011 (UTC)

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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