Messina strait passage planning

wingdiver

wingdiver

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Hi

Anyone have experience of the Messina Straits.

In particular, I am looking for information on currents, the best times to pass South to North, links to website info, books with info in.

Thanks
 
Hi,
We went through north to south in April this year and must confess it was such a quiet day with little no breeze we did not bother to consult tidal / current info - simply motor-sailed in on a dead flat sea with no apparent current or tide running.

We did find a suprising amount ferry traffic (often 10 on the water close to the narrowest point), so would not suggest anyone does a transit in mist / fog unless you are quiet comfortable with radar.

From memory it took us from midday to sunset to exit around the Italy and on to our destination in Greece - and by midafternoon and half way down we were in a strong northerly wind which once it had kicked in, helped to build a stiff sea against the northern running current. It did us no harm as it created some good waves to surf down and sped us up.
I don't have my Italian Pilot with me but suspect it did contain some of the detail you require.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
JOHN
 
Theres a document published by the Italians regarding currents in the Messina straight . I got a copy of the page covering May from Maria in Neptune Marina .Messina

However was unable to access the original source for the complete copy

It gives the following info

time of slack water , max northward flow time and knots , max southward flow time and knots


Unfortunately all that planning came to naught , While swanning about at the entrance going south waiting for slack water we got hit by a Sirocco peaking at 25 knots so made an executive decision to go in any way as there was no where elso to go . We made only one knot per hour 'against wind and tide . A bit bumpy and it was so boring watching all the shore installations creeping past with the bows crashing into the sea whole boat juddering but the high wheelhouse and ample cockpit of a Catfisher provided protection and separation from all that mess up front for crew including 6 month old grandson
 
The Italian waters pilot Rod Heikel has the info... It is all made to sound a bit more dramatic than it really is -unless you get strong wind over tide..... Clearly best to do it with as much favourable tide as possible but it is less demanding than the Needles Channel but as rough in bad conditions. Of the 3 times I have been through I cannot remember any of it with any clarity. Very uneventful although I do remember the pilots books being full of doom and gloom...
Michael
 
When going South to North current is always running around 2 knots. From anchorage in Taormina Bay (and once you have visited the town of Taormina) set off northwards if not too much wind. We did it against a Force 3 from the north and motored the 32 miles to Scilla in 9 hours. This was on a 15hp motor and at times we were reduced to 1 knot speed due to the whirlpools NE of San Giovanni and outside Messina. Time of year was June.
Also be aware that there are gps blankspots around Messina. With all the legend and seeing the boiling seas it is definitely an adrenalin surge. YOU WILL LOVE IT.
Look out for the unique swordfish fishing boats in Scilla. Moor on the harbour wall or anchor in front of the old fishermen's houses.
 
I guess the effects depend upon where you cross the strait: we went through with an 8ton boat and a little maelstrom corkscrewed us into a nice full 360°, someone else at the same time sailed through very nicely

imho the biggest danger are the ferries from one side to the other..
 
The ferries at the top (narrow bit) take no prisoners. They are quite used to passing each other at close quarters. Once out, look out for the fishermen and the long dolphin/yacht unfriendly nets. There are a few nets abandoned.

The wind through the Straits can change dramatically. We went from just enough to sail, to above 25 knots on the nose and then back to calm at the top.

There are currents all over the place. The inshore currents are not the same as the ones in the middle and you can see the turbulent lines if you get up high.
One smaller yacht passed us because we were in the middle, by the ships, and they were close in shore. At least it was an interesting passage.
 
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