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Port of Messina (Italy) - Port Information (ID: 35543)
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MESSINA.htm Messina Italy Italy Messina Port Information Selections Port Map Geographic Location Harbor as Haven Currents and Tides Visibility Hazardous Conditions Spring Summer Autumn Winter Protective or Mitigating Measures Moving to a new Anchorage Sortie or Remain in Port Scheduling Harbor Protection Local Hazardous Weather Conditions Wind Chill Table Heat Index Table Return To Ports List Untitled Document Geographic Location Geographic Location Coordinates: 38deg/12min N 15deg/34min E Location: On the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily, about6 n mi southwest of the extreme northeastern tip of Sicilyon the Strait of Messina. When boating is authorized by the Port Captain, fleet landings arelocated at the Harbor Master's office for officers and on Banchina 1Settembre for crew. The terrain west and north of the port is rugged, with elevationscommonly exceeding 1,300 ft (396 m) within 2 miles of the coast. MtEtna, a 10,902 ft (3,343 m) active volcano lies about 38 n mi southwestof the port. Harbor as Haven Harbor as Haven The Port of Messina is entered through a 1,350 ft (412 m) wide openingbetween Punta San Salvatore on the east and the east coast of Sicily onthe west. The harbor is formed by an encircling peninsula, Braccio diSan Raineri, which extends eastward from the main island, then turnsnorthward and westward before terminating in Punta San Salvatore. Harbor is not large, but can accommodate vessels up to 820 ft (250 m)long with drafts to 29 ft (8.8 m). Two LST's and an LPD can berth atthe downtown quaywall. Most berths used by US Navy ships are at BanchinaColapesca and Banchina 1 Settembre but berths at the dry docks on theharbor's east side are also used. Depths at quayside are in the 25 to30 ft (7.6 to 9.1 m) range. In general, docking facilities are excellentfor destroyer-type ships. Anchorage is at Paradiso Roads, 1.5 n mi north of the harbor entrance.Depths are 100 ft (30 m) with good holding in rock/sand bottom. Becauseof strong, changeable currents at anchorage, a 1/2 n mi swing radius isused. Ships may anchor in Messina Harbor, but must be secured at the bowand stern to prevent swinging. Because of abundant berthing space, U.S. Navy ships normally do not anchor or anchor for short periods only.Anchoring in the immediate vicinity outside the harbor is notrecommended due to strong currents and poor holding ground. Inner harbor offers excellent protection from heavy weather. Ships areexposed to winds from north clockwise through south but precautionarysafeguards prior to wind onset minimizes threat. The anchorage atParidiso Roads is exposed and vulnerable to winds and waves clockwisefrom north to northeast and southeast to south and to the strong variablecurrents which are common to the Strait of Messina. A strong outbreak ofsoutheasterly winds will make the anchorage too hazardous to use. Currents and Tides Currents and Tides Because of tide height differences in the Tyrrhenian Sea to the northand the Ionian Sea to the south, a strong tidal current exists in theStrait of Messina. It changes directions about every 6 hours and isstrongest in the narrowest and shallowest area of the Strait. A strongnortherly wind reduces north-setting duration to 3 hours/increasessouth-setting duration to 9.5 hours. The south-setting current is thestronger of two with a speed of 3 to 4 kt common, 5 kt max. Northerlysetting current normally 2 to 3 kt. Speeds and direction shift morepronounced during full moon periods and in summer more than winter. Several eddies and whilpools exist in the strait. Adjacent to Punta Seccaand Punta San Raineri, there is a swirling current which local marinersavoid. Other eddies are formed between near-shore countercurrents and themain current. They extend 1/2 n mi or less offshore and begin 1 to 2hours after direction change. Any one of these whirlpools does not existcontiniously but lasts about 1/2 hour, dies, and others start up. Smallcraft should avoid the whirlpools whenever possible. Visibility Visibility Visibility is normally greater than seven miles. There are times inMarch and April when visibility is reduced to near zero due to fog. Thisrestriction usually lasts less than an hour before improving. Expectvisibility to be reduced to less than 2 n mi about 15 days per year. Ash storms caused by Mt Etna may occur at anytime and visibility may beseverely affected in a powerful eruption. Hazardous Conditions: Spring Hazardous Conditions: Spring Early spring weather at Messina is similar to that of winter. Most ofthe strong Sirocco outbreaks are over by mid-May. Northwesterly Mistral winds occur early in season and are uncommon afterApril. Early morning visibility is infrequently reduced to near zero on 1 or 2days each spring season. Thunderstorms occur on an average of 2 days in March and probabilitydecreases significantly in April and May. Hazardous Conditions: Summer Hazardous Conditions: Summer By summer, the storm track has moved north of the Mediterranean basin sothe major causes of strong winds no longer pose a threat to the Messinaarea. Sirocco winds are common through June but are rare the rest of thesummer as the mean wind flow along the North African coast is landward. Thunderstorms occur on a average of 2 days in September. Afternoon sea breezes are insignificant at Messina. Hazardous Conditions: Autumn Hazardous Conditions: Autumn Autumn usually lasts only for the month of October and is characterizedby an abrupt change from settled summer-type weather to stormy winter-type weather by month's end. Sirocco events occur with increasing frequency as winter approaches asdoes the incidence of strong north and northeasterly winds. Thunderstorms occur on an average of 2 days each October. Hazardous Conditions: Winter Hazardous Conditions: Winter The Port of Messina is well protected from the effects of most hazardousweather scenarios. The unique shape of the encircling peninsula, Bracciode San Raineri, affords good protection from damaging wave action, butprovides little wind protection. The worst conditions for Messina are caused by southeasterly winds(Scirocco). A strong outbreak will usually bring winds of 45 kt and 10 ft(3 m) waves in adjacent waters of the strait. Extreme Sirocco events arerare, but winds can reach 70 kt. Largest waves will occur when current isstrong from the north. Sirocco events usually last about 3 days and are caused by a welldeveloped low pressure system over North Africa or winds within thewarm sector of a low pressure system north of the Mediterranean Sea.Winter-time Sirocco events usually bring warm weather. North and northeast winds which funnel through the Strait of Messina tothe port area cause a swell to occur in the harbor. These winds areusually accompanied by good weather. Northwest Mistral winds occasionally reach eastern Sicily from the Gulfof Lion. Although they may be as strong as 45 kt, they have little effectbecause of the protection from high terrain. Mistral winds are strongest/most frequent in late winter/spring. Thunderstorms occur on an average of 3 days each November, decreasing to1 day in January and February. Snowfall is rare and of little significance. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Moving to a New Anchorage Protective/Mitigating Measures: Moving to a New Anchorage If strong winds from north to northeast or southeast to south areforecast, ships in the anchorage at Paradiso Roads should weigh anchorand seek better protected waters. When strong southerly winds (Scirocco)are forecast, moving north through the Strait of Messina to the northside of Sicily will afford calmer waters in the lee of high terrain;however, weather may be worse. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Sortie/Remain in Port Protective/Mitigating Measures: Sortie/Remain in Port There is no information for ship sortie at this port. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Scheduling Protective/Mitigating Measures: Scheduling The highest waves caused by Sirocco winds occur when the current hasa south set through the strait. Because the direction changes every 6hours, ship captains can take advantage of reduced wave heights ifpassage through the strait coincides with a current which has a northset. The shift will result in diminished waves, but not winds. Harbor Protection Harbor Protection Wind and Weather The Port of Messina is exposed to winds from north and northeast andfrom southeast and south. East winds are rarely observed and southwestclockwise through northwest winds are impeded by the terrain of Sicily. Vessels moored in the inner harbor should experience few wind related problems if adequate precautions, such as doubling of mooring lines, aretaken prior to wind onset. However, vessels temporarily anchored in theinner harbor are at risk and should take immediate steps to move to amoorage along one of the quays or put to sea if strong winds are expected. Vessels at Paradiso Roads are at risk during strong winds from north tonortheast and southeast to south, and should leave the anchorage forwaters offering better protection such as those south of Sicily or theItalian mainland (for north winds), or north of Sicily (south winds). Waves Vessels moored in the inner harbor should experience no problems fromwaves. North and northeasterly winds cause a swell in the harbor but theeffect on moored vessels is likely to be small. Ships anchored atParadiso Roads are exposed to the full effect of waves raised by north tonortheast winds or southeast to south winds. Consequently, ships shouldweigh anchor and seek waters offering better protection if strong winds/waves from those directions are forecast. Northwesterly Mistral winds donot have enough fetch length to raise problem waves at the anchorage. Local Hazardous Weather Conditions Local Hazardous Weather Conditions Sirocco: Usually preceded by low clouds developing over the mainlandto the southeast, 12 to 24 hours prior to onset. It is usually calm withclear skies the day before a Sirocco occurs. Cumuliform clouds which form and stay over Mt Etna during periods ofsoutheast flow over eastern Sicily are an indicator of forthcomingSirocco. Increasing southerly winds at coastal stations along thenortheast coast of Libya indicate the Start of a Sirocco. Forecast a strong Sirocco if the following two conditions are met: 1) An upper trough is present over the Balkans with a strong jetstream along its southern boundary and 2) Large pressure falls(non-diurnal) are observed at stations along Tunisia's east coast. Most likely associated with upper troughs, dense belts of altocumulus castellanus approaching from the southwest during a Sirocco can beassociated with sudden changes in both direction and speed of the wind.Note that during spring Sirocco, dust laden atmosphere below inversionwill disrupt radio communications. A 'hat' cloud atop Mt Etna usually means rain the next day. Precipitationamounts are indicated by the cloud size; a larger cloud means more rain. Mistral (Northwest) Winds: Wave clouds visible on satellite imagery extending from Sardinia toSicily are indicative of a gale force Mistral that extends southeastinto the Strait of Sicily. Thus, it is possible that Mistral winds couldbe forthcoming at Messina. Location: On the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily, about 6 n mi southwest of the extreme northeastern tip of Sicily on the Strait of Messina Port of Messina (Italy) - Port Information