From Jayne and Howard Just, cruising on their Shannon 38 S/Y Just Imagine around Malta, Greece and Turkey:

Thought you might like to spread the word that Italy did indeed pass a law – on May 24, we were told – that prohibits anchoring within 300 meters of shore.

We were sailing around the south coast of Sicily on our way to Tunisia when we anchored about 180 meters off the famous Greek temples of Selinunte, a little west of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

The weather was calm with high pressure so we left the boat at anchor all day to hike up to the temples.

When we returned to the boat in the late afternoon, the Guardia Costera approached us by inflatable and fined us 344 euros for a law that is not even on the Internet yet.

We are going to contest the fine, which they advised us to do in writing, because of the fact that there is nothing on the Internet about the ordinance and because Rod Heikel’s “Italian Waters Pilot” advises that you can visit one of the prime tourist spots in Sicily by anchoring.

However, 300 meters is too far away from shore to anchor safely and leave the vessel unattended. 

So they are cutting off their nose to spite their face, making the most beautiful Greek temple we’ve seen in Sicily off limits to yachtsmen in smaller vessels; ours is 12 meters.

A megayacht can anchor with someone on anchor watch but our question is, what about all the Sicilian boats we saw anchored outside of San Leone Marina in Agrigento, all closer than 300 meters?

It seems to us that foreign-flagged vessels are targeted. We met the owners of a 46-foot Ed Dubois sloop who were warned not to anchor too close on the north coast, west of Palermo.

So yachtsmen beware of the Guardia Costera in Sicily.

From a crew member in Australia, who wrote in to remind the industry that, effective Jan. 1,
2006, drivers of personal watercraft need a PWC license. To get a PWC license, operators must have a current and valid marine license. For more information, visit the Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Web site at www.msq.qld.gov.au or contact MSQ on 07-3860-3551.

From Stewardess/Cook Mary Miller in the Dominican Republic:

You know that marina that we see in many boating publications with a line sketch of the marina and casino [Ocean World Marina near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic]?

Well, as you can see from these photos, it’s under construction and open for boat business on a half-price basis right now.

There is water and electricity, which is generated on-site so it’s not subject to local black outs. On the docks, there are friendly and helpful staff and ground transportation available to town or the airport. And there’s one direct flight daily to Miami or several options to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale via San Juan, Puerto Rico.

We were there on the 90-foot Burger we manage in early April and then again for two weeks in June. We’ve been there in the calm and not-so-calm times and, depending on the weather, there is quite a bit of surge in the marina, but they are working on that. They are planning a grand opening for December.

By the way, the facade on all the buildings is made of foam. I guess in a strong wind, they may lose some bits and pieces but at least no one will get hurt.

All the best to you all, and we’re pleased to report we’ve found The Triton in all the stops we made in the northeastern Caribbean this spring and summer.

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