17:00 29th July 2010

The passage through the Straits of Messina was uneventful with the exception of the tide and the whirling of the water in certain points close to the sea was calm. We had to watch out for lots of ferries serving the mainland with Sicily that go fast and very frequently. We met also some freighters, two container vessels, a tanker, a bulker and some work-boats. Although we did see fishing boats we were not lucky to see them trying to catch swordfish. These boats, called Passarelle, have a very tall tower like a mast about 20 meters high where  two men can sit, one is steering the boat and the other one is a spotter. They also have a gangway like a bowsprit about 30 meters long where the chaser (harpoonist) is sitting. 

The spotter from the tower directs the skipper to the location where the swordfish lie. The fish are harpooned by hand by expert throwers, using the harpoon technique.

The Strait of Messina acting as  a barrier between Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea is characterized by strong tidal currents  very rich in nutrients, zooplankton and other nekton populations that exist on the surface. Here swordfish is able to swim toward the surface and to concentrate in zones where the food is abundant and where currents and water masses create turbulence. The swordfish comes from a depth of 300-400 meters within few minutes and before diving again stays on the surface for about an hour. This is the period that swims superficially and the boats operate.

After searching found out that this technique was known since 2200 B.C. and described by the historian Polibius.

It is very nice to be able sailing close to the coast to be able to be connected with 3G, use the internet and have a good internet speed. You can even get Google earth and see places you are next to and cannot know details unless you have a good connection. Even see details of the coast! it is great but unfortunately not possible when you get away from the coast.

After we passed the Strait we decided to have a swim about 30 meters away from a beach south of Reggio di Calabria, anchored in deep water and before leaving we had a light dinner and updated the blog. Now it is the time to start out passage to Greece, it is a very pleasant evening and we plan to sail in a while in order to arrive in Strophades islands early in the morning of the next day, The wind is very light and seems it will be a nice quiet crossing of the 280 nautical miles then another 40  to Pylos for clearance. So have a nice night wherever you are !

S/Y ARMENISTIS