Monfalcone
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| Monfalcone Port of Entry
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 River Timavo entrance to Monfalcone |
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. 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
- 924
- 39
- 236
Weather
During the summer months, the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal sea breezes. 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)
Passages
See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
There are two entrances into Monfalcone, depending on your choice of berthing arrangements.
For access to Marina Hannibal, head for the fairway buoy just over a mile SSE of the 
main harbour [[Monfalcone#main harbour|main harbour]] 45°46.245'N, 013°33.958'E entrance. The approach should not be made from any closer 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 entrance to the River Timavo [[Monfalcone#River Timavo|River Timavo]] 45°46.357'N, 013°35.632'E . 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.
Entrance
Monfalcone is a port of entry for Italy. For details see Entrance: Italy.
Berthing
There are three principal berthing options in Monfalcone, all are marinas.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Marina Hannibal
Marina Lepanto
Darsena Nautec
Anchorages
Bacino di Panzano
Bacino di Panzano [[Monfalcone#Bacino di Panzano|Bacino di Panzano]] (Panzano Basin) 45°44.858'N, 013°33.752'E Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | In Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto, and Darsena Nautec |
| Electricity | In Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto, and Darsena Nautec |
| Toilets | In Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto, and Darsena Nautec |
| Showers | In Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto, and Darsena Nautec |
| Laundry | In Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto |
| Garbage | Bins in Marina Hannibal, Marina Lepanto, and Darsena Nautec |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Station n Marina Hannibal |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | In Marina Hannibal |
| Services | |
| Repairs |
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| Internet | WiFi in Marina Lepanto |
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | Rental outlets in Monfalcone centre |
Provisioning
All the marinas in Monfalcone are remote from provisions and other shops. Folding bicycles are a necessary asset here.
Eating out
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.
Restaurant/Bar in Marina Hannibal, [[Marina Lepanto]l]]
Transportation
List transportation (local and/or international.)
Tourism
History
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.
Places to Visit
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.
Cruiser’s 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
- Monfalcone at the Wikipedia
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 Monfalcone and this page's details validated:
- Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 18:12, 1 February 2011 (UTC)
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
