Messina Strait current direction

[Luffe44]

I plan to through the Messina Strait using the Italian tidal web page: http://www.correntidellostretto.it
All is well, exept which way the current runs: Montante means? Scendente is expectedly the opposite direction?

 

[LadyInBed]

Going to the Table at the bottom of the page
Google Translate says:
Punto di calcolo - Calculation point
Montante - Upright - probably rising
Scendente - Descend - falling
stanca - weary - probably slack
picco - peak - probably maximum flow
nodi - knots
my suggestion

 

[Luffe44]

Thanks LadyinBed, but does rising equate to running North?

 

[LadyInBed]

I would have thought so, Rising to fill the Med, Falling when the Med drains.
Same as Straights of Gib

 

[Yngmar]

Scendente goes southwards, Montante goes northwards. The bastardi is the countercurrent that goes along the shallow shelves on the side in the opposite direction of the main current. Since you most likely won't be sailing in the TSS, you will be mostly on the shelf, but can to some degree choose which current you sail in by going nearer land or nearer the center (as close to the TSS as you can).

Watch out for crazed swordfishermen in tiny open boats at the northern entrance where the current is strongest. You'll be swept along and they will not look at you and not give way until they're within 1-2m of your boat and then still look straight ahead and pretend they didn't see you as they throw their tiller over.

 

[Luffe44]

Thanks Yngvar, better to know for sure! We will take your advice on "attacking" swordfishermen

 

[sailaboutvic]

Unless you are in a boat with a very small engine , I wouldn't worry too much about it , the part that she going to effect you the most is a very small area where it gets very narrow, we gone through there many times over the years , last time in May and we be going through again In Oct ,
If you keep close to the shore you be fine , the most we seen is three Kts And as I said that's only for a small part ,
We don't even bother to look at the current any more , just use a time which is convenient for us .
But if you wish to go through tat some god hourly time of the day , to miss it or get to your destination in day light ,
please do so .

 

[Crisby]

We went through southbound a week or so ago, timed it to use the tide which gave us about 3.5 kts extra SOG. Not much wind when we went through so easy to see the whirlpools, kept clear of the swordfishermen and sea monsters so no major drama!

Chris

 

[One A.]

For anyone who's not had the pleasure of seeing one of these mad Sword Fishing boats here's a pic, the blokes at the top of the tower are helming the boat, stay clear...

 

[Luffe44]

We will be southbound tomorrow afternoon. Looks like we have to go as Sailaboutvic states if we should get into Reggio C before dark. Would it be better to follow the Eastern or Western shore?

 

[dune16]

When you went through did you radio to let them know even though you weren't in the tss? We ate going north through Messina end of this month and heard mixed messages on whether to radio in.....

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Apparently the spear gun and barrel arrangement in jaws actually exists and was designed for hunting swordfish..

I can't get to the website as it appears to be down from here, does it have currents for the whole western med?

 

[Clancy Moped]

Apparently the spear gun and barrel arrangement in jaws actually exists and was designed for hunting swordfish..

I can't get to the website as it appears to be down from here, does it have currents for the whole western med?

What we saw was a manual harpoon thrown from the front of that long bow sprit, they don't give a flying stay out the way.