2 June 2023 - Vieste, Italy

Today we crossed to Italy. It was the longest passage we’ve done for a year, since we did the trip in the opposite direction. This time, Croatia being in Schengen has made it easier for us, because we could do a shorter crossing to Vieste of just over 60 miles, rather than the 80 mile trip we had to make from Manfredonia last year, when we had to check out of Italy. No checking out or checking in required today.

We were up at 5.00am and lifted the anchor at 6.00. We watched the fast cat leaving Ubli, ahead of us. Then we were also ahead of the tanker arriving to replenish the fuel dock. The dock master had said this would happen at 7.00 and the tanker was bang on time, or maybe a little early.

Look hard and you will spot the tanker

The distance makes this a similar journey to crossing the English Channel from the Solent to Cherbourg, with the same spice of crossing busy shipping lanes. Today the extra challenge was a slalom through the fishing boats first, then judging the distance to find the gaps between the cargo vessels and enormous tankers.

Once out, clear of the islands, we had a clean breeze of 10-12 knots the whole way, with a nice comfortable wind angle of 75 degrees. This meant we made good speed, less than 10 hours from start to finish.

One of the trawlers made three 180 degree turns, as we were approaching it, but, thankfully, we were able to pass in front, made easier by him stopping to haul his nets in. We always try to avoid going behind a boat with nets out, you never know how far they will stretch. 

Then we had the challenge of the shipping lanes, where, the ships are moving at different speeds and always seem to come in groups. As we were passing just south of the TSS ( Traffic Separation Scheme), at least they are in lines heading north, then further across, heading south. We only had to slow down and change course a little to allow a cargo ship to get in front of us. Otherwise we held our course and speed to miss the others.

We arrived in Vieste, just before 4.00pm and the marinaros were there to help us berth on the outermost, deepest part of the harbour. This coast is completely different, being shallow and having lots of sand, unlike the steep sided deep bays in Croatia. We had just 0.6 metre to spare, both while getting in, and at our berth, but it’s enough.

The marina is a single pontoon, run by father and son. They have an office on the floating pontoon with a bathroom at the back. Only in Italy could you have a small but beautifully stylish bathroom on a floating pontoon.



It was Republic Day in Italy, which we hadn’t realised until we got here. The town was buzzing with people. Fortunately we went to eat early and found a pavement trattoria, where we had absolutely delicious healthy food at a more than reasonable price, a brilliant end to a super day.

Miles today           60

Miles in 2023     652

Tricia (& Steve)

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