Pescara

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Revision as of 23:25, 24 January 2013

Pescara, Italy

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	42°28.18′N, 14°13.78′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Pescara harbour from NE, showing the marina and Porto Canale Click for larger view

The city of Pescara lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy around 12 miles NW of the port of Ortona and 22 miles SE of Giulianova, at the mouth of the river of the same name. In antiquity the city was named Aternum and was an important port for trade between Rome and the eastern empire, being connected to the capital by the Via Tiburtina and Via Valeria by the time of the Emperor Claudius (49 BC). The city was subsequently a battleground between Lombards, Normans, Venetians and various adventurers until its fortification by the Aragonese in the 15th century. The city beat off a determined attack by a Turkish fleet in 1566. It was, however, very badly damaged in a later conflict, being almost flattened during world War II. Since then the city has been substantially rebuilt and is a popular summer resort. It hosts every July an internationally famous jazz festival and also boasts one of the largest marinas along the central Adriatic coast, the Marina di Pescara with over 1000 berths, as well as further moorings for smaller yachts at the Porto Canale in the canalised River Pescara.

Charts

British Admiralty

200

Italian

922

34

211

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 town of Pescara straddles its own river and can be identified from distance by a cluster of tall aerials on the hills behind. Closer in, the buildings of the city and the long detached breakwater protecting the harbour will be seen. A tall white-painted lighthouse is also conspicuous on the S bank of the canalized entrance to the river.

To enter the Porto Canale pass either side of the detached breakwater and head for the channel between the two training walls, leaving the green buoy marking a shoal patch to starboard. The berthing areas lie around half a mile up the channel to port and starboard below the road bridge. Depths in the Porto Canale are 3.5 - 4.0 metres and along the quays 2.5 - 4.5 metres. The channel is narrow and care is needed on entry (fishing vessels tear in and out). Important note: a pedestrian footbridge at the end of the entrance channel restricts access to yachts with a maximum air draft of 14.5 metres.

To enter the Marina di Pescara pass to the SE end of the curved breakwater that protects the marina, which will be evident from the numerous yacht masts. The marina is entered from SSE between this breakwater and a short western mole. Depths in the entrance are 3.5 - 4.0 metres and in the marina 2.7 - 3.0 metres.

Note: strong northerly winds can make entry difficult or even dangerous to both the Porto Canale and the marina.

Berthing Options

Berths in the Porto Canale, Pescara
Click for larger view

Marina di Pescara from SW
Click for larger view

In the Porto Canale, visiting yachts normally berth on the N quay, where a small stretch of 11.0 metres is reserved for yachts in transit. The remainder of the N quay and the whole of the S quay (with the exception of another 20.0 metres reserved for smaller yachts in transit) is reserved for concessionaires L'Ancora, Circolo Nautico Mimadea Club and Club Nautico Porto Canale. There are no facilities at the quays.

For details of the marina berths, click on the link Marina di Pescara.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Marina di Pescara

Anchorages

No anchoring is permitted in the harbour.

Offshore Islands and Groups

• Tremiti Islands.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

In Porto Canale: Slipway. Mobile crane (120 T). Wooden hull repairs. Divers. For details of marina yard services, see Marina di Pescara.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station in the marina. Water and electricity in the marina.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The old town centre, inside the line of the line of the Aragonese defensive walls, is pleasant to stroll around. Not much of Pescara’s older architecture survived the attentions of World War II. The city is, however, only some 40 kilometres from the Parco Nazionale della Majella with its wild, mountainous landscape and rare wildlife, including wolf, bear, chamois, otter and golden eagle and is probably the best place to base yourself for a visit.

Typical landscape of the Parco Nazionale della Majella
Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Supermarket and numerous provisions shops in the city.

Eateries

• Numerous restaurants in the city.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Numerous rental outlets in the city.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the Porto Canale and in Marina di Pescara.

Transportation

• Buses to most local destinations from the city. Direct buses to Rome.
• Railway stations (three) with connections to most destinations.
• Airport (4 kms) with flights to several international destinations.
• Ferries and hydrofoils to Croatia.

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 16:33, 4 January 2011 (UTC)

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