Nostrodamus
Well-Known Member
For future reference we came through the Strait of Messina this morning and the following may help others.
We stayed overnight in Scilla which I have to say is totally stunning. You can moor to buoys which are about 30 euros but it does include a water taxi. We anchored in rock and weed next to the minute harbour but we did have good holding. During the night there was no wind but a very large and roly swell came in from different angles making sleeping almost impossible. I am told it is not always like this.
The rolling was so bad we set off into the straits with 2 hours of foul tide left. Thanks to another forum member we were told to call up the VTS on ch 13 who take details and log your transit. Apparently there can be a fine of 2000 euros for not contacting them. We were told to stay 500m from the coast and monitor the radio.
We were travelling North to south along the coast of Italy rather than Sicily so oncoming traffic would be nearest to us.
From the moment we left Scilla we had to continually weave in and out of small one man fishing boats towing lines behind them.
Although we were against a foul tide we had speeds of 7.5 knots in some places but also were hovering around one knot for nearly an hour as we passed the ferry port. The ferries take no prisoners and in keeping out of there way we often found ourselves going backwards.
You continually have to watch your ground track as sometimes it will take you into shore and others well off shore. These currents are quiet strong.
There are back eddies all over and then spots of complete oily calm. We did not see any of the whirlpools though.
The wind went from nothing to 20 knots and then nothing again several times so beware if you have the sails up.
We also found a lot of rubbish floating around and narrowly missed half a tree.
Having said all that we reached our destination safely through the straits with no major problems. At the wrong time those waters look like they could eat boats but at the right time you can fly through.
Just remember to report to VTS and if you have AIS they Will call you.
Hope this helps somebody
We stayed overnight in Scilla which I have to say is totally stunning. You can moor to buoys which are about 30 euros but it does include a water taxi. We anchored in rock and weed next to the minute harbour but we did have good holding. During the night there was no wind but a very large and roly swell came in from different angles making sleeping almost impossible. I am told it is not always like this.
The rolling was so bad we set off into the straits with 2 hours of foul tide left. Thanks to another forum member we were told to call up the VTS on ch 13 who take details and log your transit. Apparently there can be a fine of 2000 euros for not contacting them. We were told to stay 500m from the coast and monitor the radio.
We were travelling North to south along the coast of Italy rather than Sicily so oncoming traffic would be nearest to us.
From the moment we left Scilla we had to continually weave in and out of small one man fishing boats towing lines behind them.
Although we were against a foul tide we had speeds of 7.5 knots in some places but also were hovering around one knot for nearly an hour as we passed the ferry port. The ferries take no prisoners and in keeping out of there way we often found ourselves going backwards.
You continually have to watch your ground track as sometimes it will take you into shore and others well off shore. These currents are quiet strong.
There are back eddies all over and then spots of complete oily calm. We did not see any of the whirlpools though.
The wind went from nothing to 20 knots and then nothing again several times so beware if you have the sails up.
We also found a lot of rubbish floating around and narrowly missed half a tree.
Having said all that we reached our destination safely through the straits with no major problems. At the wrong time those waters look like they could eat boats but at the right time you can fly through.
Just remember to report to VTS and if you have AIS they Will call you.
Hope this helps somebody
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On the mainland side we had consistent boat speed of around 6 kts, SOG varying between 4.5 and 9; the COG was kicking 30 degrees off track in a heartbeat. We crossed over at the 'roundabout' then took foul current on the island shore all the way to Taormina, probably would have done better crossing at the S end of the TSS. Didnt call up VTS because I could see nothing on their website that said it was a requirement, being under 45m. Stayed out of the TSS or obeyed its crossing rules all the way, monitored 16 and heard no calls. 
I wanted to go through it but the skipper chickened out and told me to steer around. 
